Dodgy price comparison site uSwitch blasted once again for hiding best deals from families — fleecing them out of £120 per year
The Sun relaunches it’s People Power campaign to take on the Big Six and save readers cash
DODGY price comparison site uSwitch is once again hiding the best energy deals from customers — costing families up to £120 more a year.
A Sun investigation today reveals uSwitch, which claims to be “fair and impartial,” initially only shows deals from firms that pay it commission of up to £100 a go.
uSwitch was caught hiding deals by The Sun two years ago — leading to new rules that outlawed the practice.
Will Hodson, of consumer campaigners The Big Deal, said: “To hide deals again shows breath-taking arrogance.”
We found uSwitch, who is involved in half of all energy swaps, only shows deals from firms who pay it commission of up to £100 a go.
MP Dan Poulter said: “Two years ago uSwitch were caught hiding the cheapest deals and were told to put it right by MPs and energy regulator Ofgem. It’s an outrage they’re doing it again.”
Will Hodson, whose consumer campaign group The Big Deal helped investigate, said: “Normal people expect honest advice, and uSwitch are treating them with contempt.”
The Sun discovered uSwitch altered its site in February so customers are no longer automatically shown all energy tariffs.
CAMPAIGN BACK
By Daniel Jones
THE Sun today relaunches its People Power campaign to take on the Big Six and save readers hundreds of pounds.
We use the bargaining power of thousands of readers to convince energy firms to offer a great exclusive energy deal.
But we need you to sign up to strengthen our hand. The more people who sign, the better deal we can negotiate.
It’s all about power in numbers. Previous People Power campaigns have seen 21,000 Sun readers switching, saving an average of £275 each.
In total we’ve saved Sun readers an incredible £5.7 million on their gas and electricity.
Simply visit and enter your email address and postcode.
It’s a simple as that. It’s completely free and there are zero obligations. We will work with consumer collective
The Big Deal to negotiate a brilliant energy deal for readers. A deal you cannot get on your own. You then decide if you want to take it. It’s up to you.
MOST READ IN NEWS
Since then, they have consistently hidden the best deals and failed to show the cheapest tariffs.
To see the very cheapest deals uSwitch customers must first run a comparison and then click on a small box to “unhide” deals.
Experts say most users will not realise this.
The site also gives glowing descriptions of suppliers who pay it commission while those who do not are described in negative terms.
This contradicts Ofgem’s Confidence Code which state comparison sites “can take commission but this must not influence how they provide information to consumers”.
It is understood Ofgem is contacting some comparison sites over concerns its Code has been breached.
A uSwitch spokesman said: “We are continually testing our website to make sure we provide the most straightforward comparison journey.
“This test is in line with Ofgem’s current proposals for the Confidence Code. Throughout the trial all customers have been able to easily see all energy deals available on the market with one click.”
FUEL FIRMS FOR OUT A FORTUNE
CRAFTY uSwitch is pocketing as much as £100 on energy transfers and making huge profits.
Most suppliers pay sites an average commission of £30 per fuel — or £60 for dual fuel — for each customer switch.
USwitch’s profits have been booming since it was bought in June 2015 for around £190million by ZPG, which owns property site Zoopla.
Last year, ZPG’s revenues soared by 84 per cent to £197.7million. Its annual report said revenues from its price comparison services accounted for £111million.
ZPG said customers saved £320million off energy bills alone by using uSwitch.
Have uSwitched?
BETTER CALL PAUL on 0344 499 1000
Listen on DAB, via the talkRADIO app or online at
A scandal we nailed
HERE’S how The Sun nailed the switch scandal. 20 October 2014: We reveal sites hide cheapest deals to boost profits.
21 October: Ministers promise action.
2 February: The Sun reveals cheap deals are also hidden in phone calls.
3 February: Comparison site bosses are grilled by committee of MPs.
25 March: Ofgem updates code to stop cheap deals being hidden.
Today: We reveal uSwitch is hiding deals again.