The supplier, the company that issues the invoice, the check it makes is as follows: it submits to the distributor, requests information whether the figures indicated in the invoice correspond to the data from the electricity meter. If they correspond, the complaint is unfounded. This was explained by Alexander Kolyachev, chairman of the CPC, in the program "This Morning" on bTV.
At the moment, about 8,000 complaints have been filed with the suppliers - a large part of them have already been reviewed. There is 1 complaint that is justified and satisfied. These are the data from the companies, Kolyachev indicated.
"We are continuing with this check. We will request new data. The supplier is not giving us all the information. Today we will also visit the office of the distributor, that is, the companies that take care of the electricity meters themselves", he also said. According to him, the reason for the complaint, which was stated as justified, is a faulty switch.
The consumer files a complaint with a supplier, he compares the information and says "there is no problem". If you think that the device that measures electricity has a problem - you are free to file a new complaint with the distribution company. This new complaint must be accompanied by money. You have to pay for a technician to come to the site and measure. If he sees that there is a problem, he can remove the electricity meter. But this is a paid service", he explained. And he asked: "How many of our households are willing to go this route". Kolyachev also specified that the fee is about 50 leva.
And he added: "In case you have already paid the fee. They come, dismantle the electricity meter, but inspect it. Because the Law says: we will refund you the amount if there is damage to the electricity meter, but only if it is proven that there was no malicious action against the electricity meter".
Kolyachev turned to the electricity distributors: "The devices are yours. Do what is necessary so that no one can maliciously manipulate the electricity meter. Make sure that the actual consumption corresponds to the invoiced consumption. We are waiting to see what KEVR does, we have requested data from their inspections. They must tell us what is happening in this market, because it is obvious that something is happening".
We must ensure the highest standard of consumer protection. Thanks to our joint work with the Ministry of Economy, we have planned meetings with the Ombudsman. We will also talk to the Bulgarian Institute of Metrology, which checks these electricity meters. We want to introduce new standards. I assume that a very small part of these complaints will be satisfied, a very small part of the consumers will have their money returned, added Alexander Kolyachev.