Martin Lewis warns millions could be owed hundreds after overpaying bills

With Christmas just a little over six weeks away now along with all the gift giving and booze buying that comes with it - it's fair to say we're probably all preparing to be a little strapped for cashola.

Luckily for us, however, Matin Lewis has issued a warning to millions who could be owed hundreds from overpaying bills.

The Money Saving Expert shared his latest financial pearl of wisdom on last night's (7 November) episode of the Martin Lewis Money Show Live.

Now, many of us are keen to save a penny or two in the run-up to Christmas, what with the cost of living crisis and increased heating bills without the impending Crimbo purchasing mania.

So, Lewis' latest hack has clearly come at the perfect time with one fan already trying out the trick who went on to pocket a hefty £500.

The fan emailed Lewis: "I applied to get £500 back via my energy companies app on the train ride home from the show and it arrived in my bank account this morning."

Lewis explained the fan was over a grand in credit which equalled to about nine or 10 months of debit.

ITV

He went on: "At this time of the year, you shouldn't be anymore than a couple of months of energy direct debits in credit.

"If you are, get on the app and ask them for the credit back, maybe three months maximum."

The financial guru added: "But if you're six or seven months, it's your money - they're keeping £8.1billion of our money, we should get ours back."

Lewis has been broadcasting a whole load of money saving hacks recently in the run up to the colder months including a 2p trick for keeping warm without turning on the heating.

The expert shared advice on how we can all stay warm without breaking the bank pointing to the likes of heated throws and blankets as one of the solutions Martin Lewis and the Money Saving Expert team suggested in their 'heat the human not the home' article.

Photography taken by Mario Gutiérrez / Getty Images

According to the MSE website’s latest advice, the heated gadgets that are cheapest to run are the ones that can be charged via a USB.

The initial cost of buying the item should also be factored in.

Lewis and his team recently explained on the website that instead of reaching for the thermostat, plugging in a heated blanket would cost you just 2p per hour.

Not too shabby at all.