FURIOUS energy customers have slammed ScottishPower for introducing an extra fee.

The company has brought in a £5 charge for direct debit customers who are late with a payment.

This means that if you don't pay your energy bill on time, you could be slapped with an additional charge.

It comes as analysts have warned that energy bills could hit £5,300 next year.

Energy regulator Ofgem will announce on August 26 what the energy price cap will increase to this autumn.

The change will come into effect on October 1.

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ScottishPower previously told The Sun the fees were introduced at the beginning of May this year.

But a number of customers say they have only just found out about the "unfair charge".

One furious Twitter user said: "I've paid by direct debit at this address for past ten years with no problem yet they just sent me an email saying that if I can't cover a direct debit in future they will charge me £5 penalty.

"No reason for this."

Another added: "Huge energy company: ‘we’re here to help.’ ‘We know that the cost of living crisis is impacting many of our customers.’

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"Also Huge energy company: ‘we’ll take extra money off you if you are in difficulty’."

Similarly, another customer shared a screenshot of the email they had received.

It read: "Please be aware that from now on, if we're unable to collect your payment on the day it's due, we may apply a £5 administration fee."

A ScottishPower spokeswoman said customers will have been informed of the charge in their latest correspondence – such as an updated bill or after a meter reading has been submitted.

She added: “If customers are struggling to pay, it’s crucial they get in touch as soon as possible – that way they can access the advice and support they need, which could include removing any additional fees that apply to the account."

But this isn't the only extra charge Scottish Power customers need to be aware of.

A further £10 will be put on the bill if it's not paid after 14 days.

And if it still goes unpaid after 28 days, customers will be expected to pay a £20 "escalated recovery action fee".

The supplier said the easiest way to avoid these potential charges was to "pay on time or set up a direct debit to manage payments throughout the year".

The extra fees come as more people struggle with energy debts.

An estimated six million households now owe their energy supplier money – and that number has doubled in the past year.

Families in energy debt now owe an average of £188 to their provider, according to Uswitch.

Energy bills shot up by hundreds of pounds in April when the price cap increased 54%, due to rising wholesale costs.

But the households are being warned that the worst is yet to come, with experts predicting that energy bills could go higher than £5,000 next year.

ScottishPower is not the only energy company to charge late fees.

EDF, British Gas, Bulb and Octopus are among the suppliers which penalise late payment.

The amount and when it's charged varies between suppliers.

Some firms do not charge late payment fees, including Utilitia and Shell Energy

You can find out if your supplier charges late payment fees, and what they are, in this handy guide.

How to avoid late payment fees

If you are struggling to afford your gas and electricity bills, you should contact your supplier to discuss ways to pay what you owe them.

If you know you're going to miss a payment, let your supplier know and ask if they can waive the fee.

Citizens Advice says that your supplier should help you come to a solution and help you to work out a deal that works for both of you.

Debt expert Andy Shaw from charity Stepchange previously told The Sun that speaking to them could mean you get the right support.

"All energy companies have an obligation to deal fairly with customers who are in financial difficulty or vulnerable for any other reason, for example health or age," he said.

The exact help your supplier can offer will depend on your circumstances, and can range from grants and vouchers to repayment plans.

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Here's all the ways you could get help from your supplier – from prepayment vouchers to cash grants.

If you're worried about paying bills, falling behind or are in debt, there are plenty of organisations where you can seek advice for free, including:

• National Debtline – 0808 808 4000
• Step Change – 0800 138 1111
• Citizens Advice – 0808 800 9060

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