Elderly parents been taken advantage of by Gas company - any advice please?

My grandparents are in their 80s and the scottish government has a program of free central heating installation for elderly people. This work was completed by British Gas on my grandparents home in February of this year. In June, my Gran received a bill for 拢275 to cover the costs of an extra radiator and labour. She said she was stunned to receive it as at no stage had anyone advised her they were fitting an extra radiator or that there would be a cost. I went on the British Gas website and found information which advised that the scheme covered a maximum of 7 radiators in 6 rooms. My Gran had 7 radiators installed in 7 rooms, one of them a spare room which if she had been told there was an additional charge for she would have told them to leave it. My Gran has two radiators in her bedroom and on the day of the work being done she was asked if she wanted both replaced as there would be a charge for that...which she declined. My Grampy has dementia and his capacity is doubtful...Elderly parents been taken advantage of by Gas company - any advice please?
Check through organizations that defend the rights of elders, even if your grandparents are not members.





Your best bet may be a very emotional appearance in the papers or on television if you can swing it.Elderly parents been taken advantage of by Gas company - any advice please?
You need to contact a really good attorney as soon as you can; they should be able to help your grandparents!
phone british gas yourself, Make sure you take down the name as soon as they give it and tell them the what has happened and that you think that your grandparents were misinformed (or whether they were informed at all prior to getting this bill) Dont give up, i was also a british gas customer and found them a very ignorant company! Hopefully they will be understanding and help your grandparents. Good luck x
If the person who signed a document has a diagnosis of dementia, she cannot be made to pay. The person who got her to sign will have to be held responsible,





Don't pay. In fact seek legal advice, and you will find that the company will back off.





As a social worker I have come across this many times, and each time, I have had the company responsible accept responsibility. Many agents know that the person has a mental illness, but try it on anyway.





I feel sure that you have nothing to worry about, so please, don't let this get to you, it's big brother trying to flex it's muscles, which they have been dealt many a blow.





The law is on your side.





Blessing
Did the installers know that Gramps has dementia? Many people with dementia seem ';all right'; unless you are around that person long enough to recognize that there is a problem. Perhaps it was an honest mistake.


Talk to the gas company, and be reasonable. Ask if you can work something out where a small amount is paid each month until the balance is paid off. Perhaps you could help a little bit also?