Energy customers could be paying higher prices for gas and electricity used months earlier, the new watchdog Consumer Focus has warned. The six biggest energy suppliers have raised gas and electricity prices by up to 34% since the summer. But 16 million people could be charged a higher rate for energy used before the increase because of inaccurate estimated bills, says the group. The Energy Retail Association denies the industry is profiteering. Consumer Focus, which began work earlier this month, says about a third of customers will get estimated bills this quarter. “Based on that, consumers could be paying higher prices for gas or electricity used in the past, which for companies makes a very nice windfall,” Robert Hammond, of Consumer Focus told the BBC. The problem arises when the metre is finally read and a catch-up bill arrives. The Energy Retail Association said the industry was not profiteering from the practice but did warn customers not to rely on estimated bills. “It’s important to get a correct bill rather than an estimated bill,” said Gary Felgate at the Energy Retail Association. To do this the meter needs to be read either by a meter reader or by yourself, and preferably on the first day of the price rise taking effect, he added.

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