Has your business fallen foul of the unregulated energy market?

New rules preventing a range of web-based companies from concealing additional charges should pave the way for a better regulated energy market according to a litigation firm fighting for fairer contracts.

Businesses are still exposed to hidden fees and mis-selling despite fresh moves to protect consumers from similar pitfalls.

And Energy Solicitors Limited (ESL) remains committed to steering firms through the murky waters of over-complicated contracts in a bid to claw back thousands of pounds for confused clients.

The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Act came into force earlier this month and seeks to clamp down on those travel websites and ticket resale platforms that continue to dupe consumers with hidden fees.

And ESL’s Victoria Myers said: “Businesses — and especially those at the mercy of an unregulated energy market — are crying out for the same level of protection.

“Every day we see firms contacting us fearing that they’ve fallen victim to hidden fees in contracts that simply don’t make things clear.

“It’s encouraging to see new legislation coming into force that directly addresses the wider issue of mis-selling.

“But until the same rules apply to the business energy market then it’s scant consolation for our clients.”

Hidden fees hit businesses

It is estimated that hidden fees cost UK consumers £2.2bn each year but the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Act seeks to clamp down on underhand dealing.

The Department for Business and Trade found that 45% of service providers in the entertainment sector engaged in dubious practices around hidden fees.

And Justin Madders, minister for competition and markets, said: “From April 7 consumers can make purchases knowing they are protected.”

ESL would love to see similar legislation go some way towards protecting business consumers but until then Victoria and the team will double down on efforts to expose unscrupulous brokers and identify mis-selling.

“We’re here for all of those businesses who believe their energy providers have a case to answer,” she added.

“We can point to a number of big wins and we know the red flags to look out for.

“Business owners require a greater level of energy literacy in order to fully understand the contracts and bills they’re dealing with and we’re all about education.

“But for many of the people we talk to it’s too late and they’re already involved in a battle to get back money they’re owed.

“It’s clear that business consumers deserve the same level of protection as domestic users when it comes to mis-selling.”