uSwitch helps offline consumers find the best energy deal
Independent price comparison and switching service, uSwitch.com, has started a new trial service called ‘Send us your bill', designed to help households that are not online to get accurate and impartial information about energy prices and to switch to a cheaper deal.
Instead of going online, customers can post their energy bills for free to uSwitch.com so that a trained adviser can use the information to find the best deals and then call the customer back to talk them through their findings. The service is expected to be particularly valuable to elderly and vulnerable households and for those who struggle to understand their energy bills. It means that people who are unable or unwilling to go online no longer have to miss out on valuable savings on their energy bills.
By taking its service offline in this way, uSwitch.com will be able to help the estimated 10 million UK adults that have never used the internet, of which 4 million are believed to be socially excluded. These vulnerable groups, including the elderly, are more likely to switch with a doorstep seller and therefore lose out by being sold an uncompetitive new energy plan, often costing more than their existing plan.
uSwitch.com is supporting the trial with a dedicated TV advert and a door drop leaflet campaign giving freepost envelopes to targeted households. Leaflets will be delivered in time so that households worried about a heavy winter bill can take action.
Ann Robinson, Director of Consumer Policy at uSwitch.com, says: "This is about tackling digital and social exclusion while also offering more vulnerable households a truly independent and impartial alternative to doorstep selling. This may be the first time that many such households will have been given any real help and information about switching energy providers.
"We already know that a lot of consumers value our telephone service, but with ‘Send us your bill' we can go one step further by really reaching out to those who could benefit most from saving money on their energy bills. With current savings of up to £458 we hope to help many more to put valuable pounds back into their pockets."
Sarah Harrison, Senior Partner, Sustainable Development, Ofgem, says: "The findings of our retail market review last week showed that customers are still confused about their bills and baffled by the number of tariffs suppliers offer. This has contributed to around 60 per cent of customers not shopping around for a cheaper deal. This why any innovation to help those customers who can't get online to check the best offers is to be welcomed."
Households interested in the ‘Send us your bill' service should post a copy of their latest energy bill with a contact telephone number to: FREEPOST USWITCH. Alternatively, people can call 0800 093 06 07 to speak to a customer services adviser. Copies of bills will not be returned afterwards, but will be destroyed.