Hundreds of households in Fife have sought help with energy issues over the past year.
Advice Direct Scotland, which operates the national service energyadvice.scot, recorded more than 1,400 gas and electricity-related complaints in the Kingdom in the 12 months leading up to April.
Fife ranked third in Scotland for the number of disputes, behind Edinburgh and Glasgow, with demand nearly doubling compared to 2023.
Problems included billing errors, debt, and disconnections, as soaring energy prices and the cost-of-living crisis squeezed family budgets.
This year has also seen a surge in inquiries about the impending mass switch-off of Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) meters.
Over the past year, the charity provided 288 pieces of general energy advice and handled a further 1,161 specific concerns across Fife.
Billing issues were the most frequently reported problem, making up nearly half (46 per cent) of all cases.
Debt and disconnections followed at 8.7 per cent, while smart meter issues accounted for 7.3 per cent.
The findings come as households continue to battle higher bills, with regulator Ofgem recently increasing the energy price cap.
Concerns have also been raised about the imminent switch-off of the signal to RTS meters, which are still used by tens of thousands of people across Scotland.
Latest UK Government figures show that around 139,000 devices in Scotland were still in use as of March 7, leaving many at risk of losing heating or hot water if they do not get them replaced before June 30.
Advice Direct Scotland is urging people to check their meters and contact suppliers now as part of a campaign.
A countdown clock has been added to its website.
Anyone who has not received a letter or email should contact their supplier immediately.
Conor Forbes, director of policy with Advice Direct Scotland, said: "These figures show that the energy crisis is far from over and underscore the alarming scale of the cost-of-living crisis.
"As Scotland’s national energy advice service, we’ve seen significant demand from people across Fife seeking help with bills, debts, and disconnections.
"Since the start of the year, we’ve also seen increasing concerns about the looming switch-off of RTS meters.
"With the June 30 deadline approaching, it’s crucial that anyone still using these meters contacts their supplier to avoid losing heating or hot water."
Energyadvice.scot provides free, practical advice and information on energy-related matters to anyone in Scotland.
The team can be contacted on 0808 196 8660 (Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm), or through www.energyadvice.scot.
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