Switch to direct debit, customers advised

08/07/2009

Customers should take advantage of recent energy tariff cuts to switch to a best-buy deal, moneysupermarket.com has said.

A report from the financial website suggests that the typical household could save £170 a year from their gas and electricity bills by moving to the cheapest online offers.

Scottish Power customers in particular can save £300 when switching from the firm's standard tariff to its best-buy Online Energy Saver 5.

The comments follow E.On's recent decision to cut its gas costs by 3.3 per cent, the latest in a series of price reductions imposed on general tariffs by increasingly competitive energy firms.

However, Scott Byrom at moneysupermarket.com pointed out that customers should take matters into their own hands in order to maximise value.

"Paying by monthly direct debit should be the first port of call for people looking to save money," he said.

"Changing to an online tariff gives consumers the opportunity to keep track of their payments and have a clearer idea of their balance by managing their account online."

EuroDebt director Kevin Still commented: "We been very vocal in encouraging consumers to look at the best offers on the market, this includes choosing the right payment tariff and going paperless to gain the best deals. Our energy switching service is specifically designed for people in financial difficulty, who need every penny of disposable income.

"We are also just launching an simple, no surprises pre-paid bank account to allow all UK residents to be able to pay by direct debit or on-line with no penalty fees for returned DDs or standing orders. I think consumer welcome services that 'do what it says on the tin'."

Tags; Housing Debt and Bills, Retirement Money Problems, Credit Card Lifestyle, Recent Graduate Debt,

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