Bord Gais outside firms to tackle 'debt hopping'

GORDON DEEGAN

THE IRISH TIMES

BORD GÁIS confirmed yesterday that it had taken on four outside debt collection agencies to pursue customers engaging in “debt hopping”.

In a bid to tackle the practice of customers closing their energy accounts without paying the bills, the company yesterday confirmed that it has retained four debt collection firms: BCW Ireland; Arvato; Emerald Isle Collections and Businesspro/ Stubbsgazette to pursue those individuals.

A spokeswoman for Bord Gáis said debt hopping is a serious issue facing the energy industry.

The decision was made to engage with the agencies after the movement of customers grew substantially following the emergence of new suppliers in the residential gas and electricity markets.

“The non-payment of closed accounts is an unfair practice which ultimately leads to higher costs for all customers and therefore the company took the decision to appoint third-party providers to help us recover this debt.”