British Gas to compensate customers over mis-selling
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We've secured a £1 million package from British Gas after they mis-sold to customers in Sainsbury’s stores nationwide and in Westfield shopping centre, Shepherds Bush.
In addition, staff and branding in Sainsbury’s stores did not make clear that British Gas was the supply partner for Sainsbury’s Energy.
Between February 2011 and March 2013, British Gas staff in Sainsbury’s stores and Westfield shopping centre made exaggerated savings claims to prospective customers.
Sales staff did not compare tariffs on a like for like basis, comparing monthly direct debit with quarterly payment methods to produce inaccurate savings estimates.
In some cases, customers were told that they would save money by switching, but in fact they paid more with Sainsbury’s Energy or British Gas than they would have paid if they had remained with their current supplier.
British Gas has identified customers who were potentially mis-sold to and has made an average payment of £130 to 4,300 affected customers. It was unable to contact around 1,300 ex-customers and this compensation is part of the £434,000 that will go to directly benefit customers via the British Gas Energy Trust.
The firm became aware of the issue and reported it to us in April 2013. It took immediate action to correct the issues and given this, we have decided to accept their consumer package in lieu of opening a formal investigation.
See our press release: Ofgem secures £1 million payment by British Gas for mis-selling