Martin Lewis warns British Gas, OVO, EDF, Octopus customers they have '16 days'

Martin Lewis has warned British Gas, OVO, EDF and Octopus customers they have 16 days to get money back. The BBC Sounds podcast star has urged people to get their money back from their energy supplier if they are in credit.

May is the ‘bottom’ of the cycle, which means customers and bill payers shouldn’t have much credit now as winter has just ended and summer usage is just beginning. ITV regular Martin said: “So if you've done an up-to-date meter reading (or your smart meter has), your bill is up to date, and your Direct Debit is the right level, now is the perfect time to see if you've too much energy credit.

"More than a month's worth right now is certainly a lot, so ask for it back.” He added: "Energy firms are said to be sitting on over £3 BILLION of our cash, building up this huge reservoir from the two-thirds of homes who pay by monthly Direct Debit. Yet right now, May, is the PERFECT TIME to stop the rip-off and get that money back."

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"We're meant to be in credit for part of the year, debt for the rest – the key's to know where you should be at, when!" he explained. He said: "Always first check your meter readings are up to date. Then look at whether you're in energy credit or debt and compare it with the graphs.

"The perfect time to do this is in May, when a normal situation would be to have little energy credit or be a month or so in energy debt – so if you've a lot of credit then, it's too much. Alternatively look in November, when you'd expect to be at most two-and-a-half months in energy credit. If you've far more, it's likely too much (though it does depend on how prices are moving)."

British Gas doesn't automatically refund credit. If you're in credit at the end of your 'plan year', it'll reduce your Direct Debit. You can ask for a credit refund at any time; it is not automatic. With EDF, if you're in credit at your account review, it will be used to reduce your Direct Debit. You can request a refund but you must give an up-to-date meter reading.

EON and Octopus customers can request a refund "at any time". OVO Energy customers can request it if you have more than £5 in credit and give a meter reading.