Spark Energy says its finances and 200 jobs are secure, despite it impersonating “chronic debtors” to get them off its books.
BBC Radio 4’s You & Yours consumer programme found Spark’s employees systematically switched its worst customers to the “big six” energy suppliers, using their names, addresses, bank account details, dates of birth and telephone numbers. Energy watchdog Ofgem is “in dialogue” with Spark on these issues, and investigating others.
Chris Gauld, managing director of the Ettrick Riverside-based firm, told us the “young business” was owed £500,000 in 2011, despite contacting “persistent non-payers” on average up two dozen times.
He said: “If we hadn’t transferred these non-payers, it could have forced us out of business and cost 200 jobs in the Borders.
“Our terms and conditions clearly stated persistent refusal to pay bills could lead to us transferring them to another supplier. Since then, we’ve completely overhauled our customer-care systems and removed this process, and our customers now rate us as 4/5 for customer service.”
Mr Gauld added: “Today, our financial position is extremely secure and the company has grown significantly, now employing 200 local people. Our turnover this year is on course to exceed £80million and we are looking forward to continuing growth.”