The energy giant has been handed a £12m fine after an investigation by the industry regulator found it guilty of misleading customers over a sustained period of time.

E.ON was given the biggest ever fine of its kind for misleading customers and breaking rules

Energy industry regulator Ofgem has handed down a record fine of £12m to E.ON for what it called “extensive poor sales practices” over a period of three-and-a-half years between June 2010 and December 2013.

The company was found guilty of:

• Misleading customers and providing incorrect information
• Failing to adequately train its staff
• Not paying sufficient attention to industry sales rules
• Not informing customers of the key terms of their contracts before they signed

Tony Cocker, E.On’s chief executive said “I am personally absolutely devastated by this, and I’m sure my colleagues across the country are equally devastated”.