British Gas, E.ON, Scottish Power and EDF websites DOWN as customers scramble to submit meter readings before price rise
ANGRY customers from suppliers including E.ON, British Gas and EDF are unable to submit their meter readings before the price cap rises tomorrow as websites crash.
Nearly 350 customers are experiencing problems logging into their E.ON accounts according to Downdetector.
Hundreds of British Gas customers are also reporting issues getting online according to the complaints tracking website, while Scottish Power customers are being hit by website crashes too.
SSE customers are also running into difficulties.
EDF, Octopus, Ovo and Shell customers are complaining of website glitches on social media too.
It comes after customers were warned to submit their meter readings and lower their bills before the energy price cap goes up tomorrow, DOUBLING millions of households' bills.
Shell customer Anne-Marie Stevens, 49, from Suffolk, told The Sun that it took her 40 minutes just to get through to the supplier's website and log her meter reading.
An error message popped up on her screen saying that there was scheduled website maintenance work taking place, which is why the site was down.
"It seems wrong they are scheduling maintenance on the day that lots of people are submitting meter readings," she said.
"It took me 40 minutes - it was really frustrating."
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Website crashes
Other furious customers have been complaining about crashes on social media.
One customer tweeted: " looks like you need to get your act together and let everyone submit meter readings, can't do it online and the phone line is dead. Anyone there?"
Another said: " why does your website not work?"
While one customer tweeted: "EON site has crashed try to put meter readings in just impossible."
E.ON has been replying to some customers on Twitter saying that there has been a surge of customers trying to log their meter readings.
It tweeted back to one customer: "Our website and app are experiencing extremely high traffic.
"Our speedy tech teams are currently working on this in the background."
It has also been advising customers to DM its customer service with their meter readings if they are having trouble.
One British Gas customer said: "Today is the last day to submit the readings but can’t go in the website or phone. Don’t know what else to do. Very unfair!!"
While a Scottish Power customer said: "@ScottishPower can't get through on phone and website keeps crashing. Unable to give my meter readings."
EDF customers are struggling to get onto the supplier's website too.
One tweeted: "EDF login not working as carrying out essential maintenance, so cannot log meter readings."
SSE customers have also been raging about website crashes.
One said: "On one of the most critical days for your customers and your website and app are down?!"
Octopus customers are flagging issues as well on Twitter.
"Trying to submit meter readings to Octopus Energy today and … I can’t. Page not available…" one said.
While one Ovo customer said: "I have been submitting my meter readings via the #OVO app repeatedly but it won’t accept my readings?"
Shell customers have been screenshotting the supplier's website, which comes up with the error message: "Login currently unavailable, try again later".
Bulb customers too are reporting technical issues -The Sun has spotted customers taking screenshots of the website telling them to submit their readings again in 24 hours - when the price cap has already hit.
While some SoEnergy customers have reported trying to log their meter readings for over an hour as the supplier's website crashes.
Don't panic
In a Martin Lewis said today is "meter reading day".
The money saving expert said: "But surprise surprise, many of the energy firms are struggling to cope with demand even though they had plenty of notice that this was coming and lots of people are in panic."
He previously advised that taking a meter reading today would "draw a line in the sand" between today and usage at the higher price from tomorrow.
But he added today that it wasn't the end of the world and customers shouldn't panic, and a meter reading in the next few days would still be fine.
What to do if you're struggling to log a meter reading
The most important thing to do is to still take a picture of your meter reading.
You will be able to submit it later with today's date on it.
Some suppliers have told customers to send them a direct message on social media with their meter readings while websites have crashed - so make sure to check Twitter.
You might also be able to text your supplier your meter reading if you have opted into this service.
We've asked all suppliers what customers need to do as websites crash and we will update this story as soon as we can.
Uswitch head of policy Justina Miltienyte said to keep trying to log yours.
She said: "If you’re unable to submit your meter reading online right now, don’t panic as website issues are often temporary.
"Try again later today or take a photo of your reading with a date stamp visible in the image as evidence.
"Your supplier may offer other ways to submit readings, so have a look at the recent communications they’ve sent you to find further details.”
Martin Lewis said that there are some people who don't need to take a meter reading today - but it could be worth taking a picture now in case of disputes later.
Those on a fixed tariff don't need to take a meter reading, as the price won't rise tomorrow.
Households on smart meters have readings taken automatically, and those on prepayment meters top up instead.
Why do I need to do a meter reading?
Doing a gas and electric meter reading will help you avoid paying more than you need to.
That's because you are giving an estimate for your energy based on previous usage, which gives you a cost for the upcoming year.
That cost is divided by 12 for your monthly direct debits.
Doing a reading the day before on March 31 means you - and your energy firm - know exactly how much energy you have used under the lower price.
And you then have a clear date from which the higher prices apply.
It means customers will be furious that they can't log their readings to make sure they're saving as much as they can on soaring costs.
The Sun has approached all suppliers for comment.
It comes as British Gas mistakenly sent messages to some customers that suggested they had to install smart meters at their homes.
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Households of collapsed suppliers taken over by the energy giant have claimed they were told installing a smart meter is a condition of their new contract.
But British Gas apologised and said the messages were sent in error.
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