Debt management hampered by utilities market?
Debt management hampered by utilities market?
- Monday, 11 May 2009Consumers' ability to
manage debt could be being hampered by complexity within the utilities sector.
Audrey Gallacher, head of company performance at campaign group Consumer Focus, explains that there are two levels on which the utilities industry could confuse customers.
These include the variety of different ways by which people can pay their bills - which could have a direct impact on any budgeting they try and do as part of debt management efforts.
In addition, she notes that there are a great many different price tariffs, which can make it difficult to find the best deal from a given supplier.
Ms Gallacher says: "There is concern that some energy tariffs have become over-complicated, leading to consumer confusion.
"This inevitably raises concerns around deliberate attempts to confuse and mislead people."
Consumers hoping to
manage debt more effectively may wish to look at the difference they could see in utility bills by using a pre-payment meter, or by paying by cheque or cash, to optimise their outgoings.

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