Thousands of households which use smart meters and are in debt on their energy bills are being moved over to a prepay method which costs more and could leave them cut-off.
Data from Ofgem show that around 60,000 UK households have already had their meters remotely switched to prepayment mode over the last three months.
This can be done without the permission or consent of a homeowner, and once in prepayment mode people will have to pay higher rates and could face disconnection.
It is a similar concept to a pay-as-you-go phone contract and the rates you will pay cost more than those on a direct debit.
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