Energy companies hire third part party debt collectors to execute the warrants and 'break into' homes, even when customers are known to have 'extreme vulnerabilities'
It's been reported today that debt collectors are breaking into vulnerable customers' homes on behalf of energy companies to fit prepayment meters.
Some of the "vulnerable" customers the Times reporter came across included a single father with three young children and a mother with a four-week-old baby. "The allegations around our third-party contractor Arvato are unacceptable and we immediately suspended their warrant activity. "More broadly, there are clearly significant challenges around affordability and unfortunately, we don't see that changing anytime soon.
"It is unacceptable for any supplier to impose forced installations on vulnerable customers struggling to pay their bills before all other options have been exhausted and without carrying out thorough checks to ensure it is safe and practicable to do so. Gillian Cooper, Head of Energy Policy at Citizens Advice, said: “It’s truly shocking to see the extent of bad practices amongst some energy suppliers.
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