British Gas debt agents 'broke into woman's home' with dad on his deathbed
A woman claims British Gas debt agents broke into her home before force-fitting a pre-pay meter as she cared for her dying dad.
Elizabeth Garrett, 34, says she was struggling with her mental health after spiralling into debt when they entered her property back in 2011.
The mum says as she returned from visiting her dying father in hospital, she found the doors off their hinges BirminghamLive report.
Miss Garrett, who was 23 at the time, claimed debt agents used her toilet without flushing and even made themselves cups of tea during their visit.
It comes as complaints to the Energy Ombudsman reached record levels, passing 100,000 last year, as anger grows at the pre-payment scandal that has seen people's homes broke into by British Gas subcontractors.
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She returned from hospital to find her door off its hingesShe was stunned to discover her home in Northfield, south Birmingham, had been broken into after the hospital dash 12 years ago.
A card was left on the worktop telling her that British Gas had switched her meter to pay-as-you-go.
It also informed her that they'd entered the property to check her gas wasn't leaking, she said.
British Gas say the firm had attempted to contact Elizabeth on "multiple occasions" about an outstanding balance.
British Gas has come under fire over debt agents 'breaking into home's to fit pay-as-you-go meters' (AFP via Getty Images)After receiving no response, the company said a prepayment meter was installed in December 2011 'under warrant'.
Elizabeth decided to speak out after the Times told how British Gas would send debt agents to break into customers’ homes - even if they were known to be vulnerable - and fit pay-as-you-go meters.
The energy firm has since said it will stop applying for court warrants to enter homes.
The part-time cleaner, who is now debt-free, said: "I had a two-bed council house at the time, but unfortunately my circumstances changed and I only had £108 each month to live off. My mental health worsened and I wasn't well enough to go back to work.
They even made themselves a cup of tea at her Birmingham home (Google Maps)"I phoned British Gas and told them that I couldn't pay the full bill and would pay a bit back each month. They agreed on this.
"I asked for a prepayment meter, but they said I need to be 'in more debt' to be eligible - so I stopped paying all together. I think my arrears was around £860.
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"As this was going on, my dad was in hospital with pancreatic cancer. We were later told he wouldn't make it.
"When I got home after visiting him one day, I was in disbelief to find British Gas had entered my property, without warning. I looked through my mail but there was nothing to suggest that this would be the plan - and I'd never agreed to it.
Elizabeth Garrett said workers broke in 12 years ago"While they were there, they used my toilet and didn't flush. They also made cups of tea."
Elizabeth added that the incident "knocked" her "confidence" and continues to do so "even after all these years".
A British Gas spokesperson said: "The warrant process would be a last resort after multiple attempts to contact a customer over many months.
"For this particular case, from 12 years ago, our records show that we attempted to engage with Ms Garrett to try to offer help and assistance on many occasions without success."
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