DIRECT debits can be an excellent way of spreading essential bills across 12 monthly payments, hopefully breaking even over the summer and winter periods for energy supplies.

However, energy companies in particular have started to make outrageous demands to increase these monthly payments.

The company I have used, without complaint, for many years has now joined the fray.

My six-monthly account showed a credit of more than £20 and over-estimated my current use.

An immediate call to the supplier, which took almost 30 minutes in order to speak to an operative at the call centre, was futile.

In with the account was the information that, from December 11, my monthly payments would rise by £63 – their logic being that, with an estimated 12-monthly account of £1,146, the payments would make sure the account was fully paid up at all times.

By my maths a monthly payment in total of £95.50.

The company figure would have meant that at the end of the year I would be about £516 in credit.

I requested a large reduction in their request, adding that if any subsequent account was ‘in the red’ I would settle with a ‘lump sum’, which I was refused.

I was unable to speak to a supervisor and then I said: “If that is the case, when I put the phone down, I will cancel my direct debit with immediate effect and close the account with you.”

This was met with no sensible response.

I have done both!

NAME AND ADDRESS, SUPPLIED