11 June 2007
Three consecutive inaccurate bills have seen British Gas customer Anyat Shah being overcharged by thousands of pounds.
Pensioner Mr Shah first received an inflated electricity bill of more than 2,000 from the supplier at the beginning of May. Since Mr Shah spoke little English, he appealed to his local councillor to help rectify the situation.
Councillor Riaz Ahmed stepped in on Mr Shah's behalf and was informed by British Gas that the bill was a mistake and advised Mr Shah to ignore it, but two more bills for the 2,000 amount subsequently landed on his doormat.
Speaking to the Asian Image, Cllr Ahmed said the repeated calls for such a large amount had actually made Mr Shah physically ill. "He has had some sleepless nights because of this. It is something he wasn't sure he actually owed them or not," Cllr Ahmed explained.
"British Gas is a huge company and so for an elderly person, especially an Asian elderly person who does not speak English, it is something like a David and Goliath situation," he continued.
British Gas has since apologised for any inconvenience and stress the bills had caused Mr Shah, but the pensioner claimed that he was still "very disappointed" with the delayed response and unhelpful attitude he experienced when trying to speak to the call staff.