Consumers left baffled by energy tariffs

Householders are facing an energy tariff lottery because of a lack of transparency.

Which? consumer group said consumers faced a "game of chance" trying to secure the best deal with as many as 89 tariffs on offer to the typical household.

It found that many consumers are also subjected to lengthy contracts that lock-in customers, unreasonable time lags between switching suppliers and late notification of price changes.

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A survey by the group of 2,000 consumers found one in three thought energy companies could not be trusted.

An associated investigation by the group found a 151 difference between two versions of EDF Energy's Online Saver tariff, while one Which? member found he could save 400 a year by changing his tariff.

Although suppliers regularly updated their deals, none actively informed customers that a newer, cheaper version of their tariff was available, Which? said.

The group is campaigning for minimum standards for energy tariffs to be part of the upcoming Energy Bill to be introduced before Christmas.

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Which? chief executive Peter Vicary-Smith said: "Energy doesn't have to be complicated, but the practices we've uncovered mean many people are paying more than they need to.

"Energy suppliers must make it easier for their customers to find the best deals. This means guaranteeing that customers get the price they sign up to, giving advanced warning of price hikes and telling people when better deals are available."

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