Energy regulator vows to tackle ‘debt hopping’

THE energy regulator has vowed to introduce plans to deal with “debt hopping”, where customers switch energy providers to avoid paying their debts or being cut off.

The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) intends to bring in a “debt flagging” facility, which will alert energy companies when potential customers are in debt with a rival company.

The CER said the move would help energy suppliers to decide whether or not to take on a customer with existing debt with a rival company. The flag will be activated when a domestic gas or electricity customer has owed €250 or more for over 42 days.