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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Kieran Isgin

Martin Lewis issues advice on best time customers should contact their energy company

Money-saving expert Martin Lewis has informed people of when they should contact their energy company

Appearing on ITV This Morning on Tuesday, the money-saving expert highlighted that if you are having any problems and need to contact your energy provider, the best time to do it may be a bit later than you'd expect. He argued that the morning is probably the busiest time to try and contact the provider.

Instead, according to Mr Lewis, you should try and contact your provider "later on in the afternoon" because otherwise you may be placed on hold for a much longer period of time.

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Martin said: "Now my advice on getting in contact with energy firms if you're having problems is to call later on in the afternoon. Mornings tend to be the busiest times - don't bother calling in the morning you will be on hold much longer.

"I would try and call sometime between 15.30 and 16.30. Clearly, today, because other people will be listening to this, and they may be doing it too - it may be busier than normal.

"But that's the time I would try and approach if you're having trouble getting in touch with the utility provider - I'd be trying to call them sometime in the later afternoon but not before they close. And if you can't get in touch with them then write a formal letter and if you don't get anywhere then you take them to the Energy Ombudsman.

If you do need to make a complaint about your energy supplier to the Energy Ombudsman, there are a number of ways you can do so. According to Ofgem, you should wait eight weeks after writing a letter before contacting the Ombudsman.

Furthermore, you can refer a case to them within 12 months of a deadlock letter. Sometimes thy can even investigate an older complaint without a deadlock letter.

You can contact the Energy Ombudsman by either filling in a form or dialling 0330 440 1624.

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