Yahoo News Grieving widower denied energy credit payment because it was in dead wife's name
Michael Wright, 64, wasn't able to claim £250 worth of energy credit after his wife Sally Wright, 60, died in November.
A grieving widower has hit out after being denied access to an energy payment because it was in his late wife's name.
Michael Wright, 64, wasn't able to claim £250 worth of energy credit after his wife Sally Wright, 60, died of a heart attack in November last year.
He said the Scottish Power account had been in her name and he was told she would have to sign forms to claim the money they were owed despite her being dead.
The energy firm has since apologised, issued a refund and a further goodwill payment.
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Dad-of-five Michael said: "I switched providers after moving house when my wife died.
"Scottish Power owed me £250 in credit, but wouldn't transfer it unless my wife, who was the account holder, signed something.
"Well how was she supposed to do that when she passed away last year?"
The couple were Scottish Power customers for around eighteen months before Sally’s death.
Michael then moved from their home in Derbyshire to a flat in Leicestershire to be closer to his family and filed to close the account and switched to EDF.
He was owed £250 in credit from Scottish Power that was remaining in Sally's account.
Michael was repeatedly trying to contact Scottish Power customer service to access the money but he claims he spent hours on hold and was unable to speak to a real person through their online chat.
The energy firm then sent him an email stating they needed Sally's' signature to authorise the credit transaction.
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Michael, a retired warehouse worker, added: "They knew that Sally has passed, and I was supposed to speak to one of their bereavement officers who never called.
"I know it's only £250, but it's enough electrics for the whole year in my new flat.
"Plus, on principle, it wasn't t their money; it was ours, and I was entitled to have it back."
A ScottishPower spokesperson added: “We’re sorry for the issues Mr Wright had when trying to close down the previous energy account and arrange a refund.
"His experience does not reflect the level of service we aim to provide – especially at such a difficult time.
"We have now closed down the account and issued a refund for the credit balance, with a further goodwill payment in recognition of the service received and any distress caused.”
