An energy firm is running an insensitive casino-style game offering money off future bills.
Octopus clients who joined Thursday’s stampede to submit meter readings before the industry-wide price hike were offered a virtual spin of a “Wheel of Fortune”. But instead of actual money off, most got jokey energy-saving tips.
One was told how much a microwave’s digital clock display costs to run when the oven is on standby.
Octopus says the game was a “fun” way to get people to submit regular readings – a reward for extra effort.
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Each month, customers can win between £1 and £512 in credits. But consumer watchdogs branded it a “cheap gimmick to put a spin on bad news”.
One customer who failed to win said: “Thank you Octopus – I hadn’t realised that price rises could be such fun.”
Marc Gander, of the Consumer Action Group, said of the game: “When millions of households are facing record energy bills, this seems highly insensitive. There must be a more constructive way to help.”
Octopus said the game launched four years ago to encourage customers to give regular readings.
A spokesman said: “It’s a bit of fun and in no way obligatory to take part. It’s popular – millions have spun since its launch, winning over £350,000 of account credit.”
