Energywatch condemns TXU Energi poachers

Energywatch, the utility watchdog, has slammed energy suppliers “trying to poach” TXU Energi’s customers through mis-selling. The TXU Energi brand is due to be axed imminently, after it was bought last week by Eon-owned Powergen (MW October 24).

A spokesman for Energywatch says: “A glut of predatory mis-selling has been initiated by companies whose sales people are lying to TXU consumers by saying that the company has bitten the dust and so they need to switch supplier.”

Powergen is awaiting an EU approval for the takeover, before ditching the TXU Energi brand. TXU Energi meanwhile is preparing a dossier against rival companies mis-selling to its customers and saying that their energy supply is in danger.

Energywatch declined to name any companies, but it is understood that British Gas and npower are likely to be named in the dossier. TXU Energi has 5.5 million customers, mainly in the North-west, around Liverpool and Manchester, and in the East Anglia region.

Both British Gas and npower are waiting for a formal complaint to be made by TXU Energi and add that they do not encourage misselling tactics.

According to an insider, customers on the StayWarm scheme, a TXU fixed payment scheme aimed at state pensioners, are being “hounded” by rival companies to switch over.

Before its acquisition, TXU Energi was forced to take out radio and press ads to reassure its customers that they will continue to be supplied with energy (MW October 17).