Peco Energy Company

Review: Refusal to send service to house when electricity was shut off and shows as active on their endDesired Settlement: Finish the job and not pay for month of service for reason stated above.

Review: I missed a payment in December, 2013 due to an illness; I was diagnosed with an aneurysm. I made the payment in January. I asked whether payment arrangements could be made but was told they could not and in fact, a $465.00 deposit would be required . Payments were made to PECO in March totaling $852.34 and April $718.55.

Even though my payments have been current, I continue to get deposit charges appearing. I've paid to date $796.25. Also, I have a zero balance but I've just received a shut off notice indicating my service will be shut off 5/2/2014.

I do not think it's fair or reasonable for this monopolized bully to charge continual deposit charges which would render me further in debt without allowing for payment arrangements. Furthermore, I am continuously being harassed by recently receiving a shut off notice after payments have been made to this company in full.

Please help!Desired Settlement: I would like a detailed explanation as to the charges as well as a billing adjustment. If they refuse to comply, I will file a complaint with the Attorney General

Business

Response:

Good Morning [redacted],

Please contact our office at ###-###-#### to discuss your concerns in detail. When you call, please request to speak with a supervisor. Thank you.

Review: Requested that service be stopped in 2011 when last payment was made and that a final bill be sent out due to a move for work even though keeping the address for mail and billing. PECO continued to bill for service after request and is stating that there is a $5000 back due amount in order for new tenant/friend to obtain new service. New tenant has not been able to obtain service for 2 weeks and I was told that it will be a 30 day period that PECO will take as they review my bill dispute. Only option given by PECO was to make a payment on the amount that they are claiming and they will be able to start new service for the apartment. PECO explained that making payment on balance is an admittance of fault and full amount would not be disputable after a payment is made. PECO never shut off service when requested and continually billed me for years. They would not answer why they did not turn off the service after they stated back in 2011 that a 10 day shutoff notice as given. PECO is the only power option in [redacted] and they are using strong arm tactics in order to try and force a payment by refusing to provide new service to new tenant. A person having to go 2 weeks without electricity is not acceptable and waiting 30 days is certainly not plausible. This is also without guarantee of resolution.Desired Settlement: I would like the bill to be reversed/rectified. I would like it to be done in an acceptable time frame and not at their leisure as indicated by service representative.

Business

Response:

Good Morning [redacted],

Company records confirm you have an active former address investigtion on the account that was initiated on 4/9/14. Please contact our office at ###-###-#### to address your concerns in detail. Thank you.

Consumer

Response:

[To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed Administratively Resolved]

Review: [redacted]

I am rejecting this response because:

Called generic PECO number and was provided no information on my case. Operator tried to get me to pay the bill as an admittance of fault and when I explained that I was disputing the amount they acted as if they didn't realize that I was disputing anything. No resolution was found, just more frustration and run around.

Regards,

Business

Response:

Good Afternoon [redacted],

Company records confirm you were contacted today at approximately 11am in regard to your concerns. Please call ###-###-#### to discuss the details of your investigation with the representative that is handling your complaint. You can ask for [redacted]. Thank you.

Consumer

Response:

[To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed Administratively Resolved]

Review: [redacted]

I am rejecting this response because:

The number provided is a generic number with no [redacted] at the number. Was directed to customer service and then disconnected. No response from PECO at all and am just getting the run around. The responses provided here are only being sent in order to satisfy the need to respond on the Revdex.com site. Huge problem still exists and is not being addressed at all.

Regards,

Review: I feel that PECO customer need an advocate on our behalf. It just seems since they are only electric company that they definitely take advantage of their customer. Pretty much we are at their mercy. Yes, I understand that if I paid my bill on time this wouldn't have happen. I received a 10 day shut off notice. The 10th day which would have been 8/7/2013 for a past due amount of $510.17. On 8/6/13 I paid $313.17 on their website accuring a $2.35 fee to pay on their website, but I was welling to pay that fee to assure that my payment was immediately posted and that I could get an extension on remaining balance. I have confirmations numbers for proof. On 8/7/13 8:30am they came and shut off my electric. I called all morning and spoke to different people begging and pleading, even spoke to a supervisor who advised me there was nothing they could do unless there was a medical emergency or I paid remaining balance plus a restoral fee of $75.00. I may not have an medical emergency, but I do have a family. So now not only did I pay $313.17 on 8/6/13, now I have to pay an additional $272.17 to get my services turned back on. So I did because I have no choice, so I had to borrow more money on top of what I just did. My account was paid in full by 10:00am 8/7/13 and I'm still here 8/8/13 9:19 am with no electric. The temptature may not be heat wave but my food in my freezer is going to spoil. Does it really take 72 hours to restore service. How it that possible when it takes seconds to cut someone off. They won't reimburse me for my spoiled food. I went 1 week and 5 days without electrice during Hurricane Sandy PECO didn't reimburse me for any of it. Why aren't they accountable for providing fair service. I feel like because I didn't pay on time I'm being punished. Customer Service is always so rude. Customers are literally at PECO Energy mercy. If customers pay what they need too, to have services restore is it really fair for them to take there time to restore and charge a fee. Confused customer. Need help from someone that can make it fair. PECO is a monopoly company.Desired Settlement: A change of restoral time. Electric is a neccesity. Economic times are hard for people. 72 hours is a bit ridiculous. People have food in the fridge that can spoil. Who will replace that additional to paying their bill.

Business

Response:

Good Morning **. [redacted],

Please contact our office at [redacted] in regard to your concerns. Thank you.

Review: I established PECO service May 2013. I received a few bills, but then they stopped coming from PECO. I was still making payments through my bank account not knowing the due date or the exact amount of the bill. I called to let them know. I was told to have the bills emailed. I signed up for that service and I still was not getting the bills. Finally, I was able to go online to see my bills. I saw that June bill had a deposit fee. I didnt know what that was. I added up past due, late fee and current amount due for my bill not including the deposit and paid that amount thinking that would bring my account to current. I called PECO asking what the deposit was for. It was explained that they can charge deposit for being behind and paying the bill late. I was never made aware of the deposit. I was told that since PECO mails the bills they are not responsible and I should have called. I did that. I was told they sent out a notice of a deposit requirement, I never received this notice. Looking at the bills online, there is no notice about a deposit being required except on the bill AFTER the deposit was charge. I was told that deposit would be broken up into 3 payments. The bill dated, 6/18/2014 has 2 deposits. I am not trying to get out of paying my usage bill; however, it is not right to be charged a deposit when I had no idea it was being required. With me explaining all this to PECO, they told be there is nothing they can do except if I sign up for automatic draft. I have no problem with that if my bill is the same every month, but it is not. I can not budget for a bill not knowing the amount.Desired Settlement: I would like to find out why I am not receiving the bills via mail or email. I would like the deposit removed and a chance to make my payments on time when I am receiving bills. If I fail to pay per PECO's deposit policy, I will then be required to pay the requested deposit per PECO.

Business

Response:

This is the response for ID# [redacted].

I contacted the customer and advised her that the complaint was assigned to the appropriate department and also that she would be contact by a representtiave to address her concerns.

Review: PECO sent a sub contractor to my home to trim a tree.The tree was not properly cut ,and only cut on one side.The tree is in risk of colaspe.PECO will not return to my property and properly trim the tree.PECO did not ask to go on to my property and was not given permission to cut this tree on private property.Desired Settlement: Properly trim the tree on private proerty.

Business

Response:

Good Morning [redacted],

Based on information obtained from your PECO account, a manager is going to contact you in regard to your concern(s). If you don't hear from anyone by 5/5/13, please contact the company at [redacted] and request to speak with a supervisor. Thank you.

Review: A year ago I was in the hospital and contacted PECO to make a suitable payment arrangement. At the time I contacted them I had no working income only child support of 310.00 per month. They refused to use that income to base my payment arrangement on. They said they had to use the previous income I was making, even though I made it clear to them that that was not my current situation. I even had medical documentation regarding my hospitalizations. This was around March or April 2013. At the time I was also a full-time nursing student and was only working part-time to begin with. However, they still thought it suitable to budget bill me at $215.00 per month. I know of people on fixed incomes of $600 or less and their bills were never over $50.00 per month. Even though I thought the bill was unfair I had to agree to it, or they would terminate services and I had a premature baby coming home soon. I was still out of work by June of 2013 and still received the bills. Fast forward a year later the bill is $6,441.39. My last payment of 213.00 was sent on 8/22/2013 and I had not paid the bill since. At the rate that they charged me, by April of 2014 I owed $2135.70. At which point they threatned to terminate services. I called and offered the majority of my rent money, an amount of $800.00 ,and they told me they would take the money but that services will still be shut off because the process had already been started and they had no control over it at that point. I opted to pay my rent because I didn't feel that it was worth the risk paying for services that might still be terminated. From September through April I had thousands of dollars in rent to pay and catch up on. I was blessed enough to have an understanding landlord whom was willing to work with me as my rent is $975.00 per month, which I guess PECO's budget billing didn't take into account. My services had been canceled but not disconnected on June 4th 2014. Meaning I was not getting any service nor using any electric from that point on. To my dismay when I called to discuss payment arrangements again the bill had shot up! Turns out they changed the new budget amount to 540.00 per month and had been billing me at that rate. Now the bill was at $4205.00. I mean really? If someone was having a hard time with the previous bill and you just tack on more money and bogus fees...what logic makes them think the person can pay the additional fees? I think they know you can't, but use that as an opportunity to get more money and add more fees. To my horror they told me they were still billing me after they cancelled my services and when I asked why, the simple answer was because they can. They can bill for services even if you are not receiving them until someone physically comes out to your home and shuts the service off. Meaning, no you do not actually have service on and you can't use any power but we can still bill you at the regular rate because we took our time to come out and physically shut off services. Even the month after they shut off the service they still billed 540.00 for services and then there is still a current balance of $154.00 for services I am not using. I am pissed! I called about a settlement because at this point there is basically nothing I can do. I have 4 children in a home which runs on total electric and nothing is gas. So that means no refrigeration, no cooking, and no hot bathing water. I am new graduate nurse so just like PECO no assistant agencies will look at my past situation and help me to pay the bill down because now my income exceeds what they would qualify for help. I still have rent, loans, and extra food cost because I have to but food out everyday due to no electric. They refused to offer any settlement just like before and demanded the full balance. They said I would have to wait for it to go into collections. Now, I have to worry about credit issues even after I called to make payment arrangements. I don't think it is fair that they don't send out a letter explaining that they can continue to bill you after they cancel services until someone physically comes out to disconnect services. Even though, in both situations there is no power usage. They should let consumers know and give us the option to have someone disconnect immediately so we don't incur further charges while we are trying to pay off the back bill. They did not treat me fairly from the budget billing deal that exceeded my income capabilities to continuing to charge for services I couldn't use. This complaint involves the PA Consumer Assistance Program as well.Desired Settlement: I would like to receive a settlement of my previous bill before all the extra charges. The bill that was past due as of 6/4/2014 of $2135.00 in two payments and a restoration of services. I will also be accepting of a 50% settlement of the current bill in 4 payment and restoration of services. I would like to receive a settlement letter detailing the agreement and any future charges to be incurred. I do not wish to be associated at all with any budget billing they claim to have to assist their customers. I wish all extra charges to be stopped immediately while I am not receiving services and that include late fees. Please forward complaint to their CAP department if needed.

Review: In 2014 I experienced 2 extensive power outages where the entire contents of my refrigerator and freezer thawed and had to be disposed of. My fresh water aquarium fish also died due to excessive lack of power. I filed a claim with PECO requested a credit for my lost food. PECO called me and stated I was not entitled to a credit. The person I spoke to (Tim G[redacted] or Tim G[redacted]) asked “Is it your expectation that you will have uninterrupted services?”, and “Did you consider buying a generator?”. He indicated that PECO cannot be expected to provide power on a continual basis, and they have no responsibility for acts of nature. I lost over $600.00 dollars in food and PECO implied it was somehow my fault, and my responsibility, to have a backup system to prevent their failure to not only provide uninterrupted service, but to quickly restore power. PECO does not take preventive measures to ensure power equipment is maintained, I experience multiple failures every year. As a public utility, their purpose is to ensure a continual supply of power and in those instances where there is a failure, to quickly restore power to all customers. I was out of power for 4 days in below zero weather without water, heat or electricity, the second occurrence I was out of power for 2 days. Asking for a credit is not an unreasonable request. Being treated with dignity should be their primary concern, instead, I was treated like I was at fault.Desired Settlement: I am requesting help in obtaining a credit of $600.00 to replace food lost for 2 power failures. Thank you!

Business

Response:

Good Morning,

Please contact our Claims Department at ###-###-#### to discuss your concerns in detail. Thank you.

I have lived in 5 states and never have I witnessed the incompetence that u have seen with PECO. The power grid in Guatamala is far superior

Review: I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE PAYMENT ARRANGEMENTS WITH PECO ENERGY (ACCOUNT [redacted]), THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT BECAUSE WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF FILING BANKRUPTCY THEY WILL NOT WORK WITH US AT ALL. THEY HAVE SENT US A 10-DAY SHUT OFF NOTICE (FOR 12/2), OUR BILL IS $1738.89, I WAS TOLD WE HAVE TO PAY $1585.40 TO STOP THE SHUT OFF. OUR INCOME IS $2000.00 PER MONTH WITH 2 ADULTS AND 1 INFANT IN THE HOUSEHOLD. WE CANNOT AFFORD ALMOST A WHOLE MONTHS PAY RIGHT NOW. I FEEL LIKE THEY DISCRIMINATE AGAINST PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT AS WELL OFF AS THEY WOULD LIKE. EVERYONE IN THE HOUSEHOLD HAS MEDICAL ISSUES THAT REQUIRE EQUIPMENT AND WOULD CAUSE SEVERE ISSUES IF SERVICE IS INTERRUPTED. I HAVE EXPLAINED THIS WITH SEVERAL CUSTOMER SERVICE REPS AND HAVE DEALT WITH NOTHING BUT RUDE PEOPLE. THEY HAVE BEEN DISRESPECTFUL AND JUST FLAT OUT NOT CARED. I HAVE TRIED APPLYING FOR ASSISTANCE WITH NO PREVAIL. BESIDES THE MEDICAL ISSUES IT IS NOW ABOUT TO BE WINTER AND I HAVE AN INFANT IN THE HOUSEHOLD. I *CANNOT* HAVE MY HEAT SHUT OFF!!

WE HAVE DEFAULTED WITH PAYMENT PLANS PREVIOUSLY BUT I HAVE OFFERED TO SET UP AUTOMATIC PAYMENTS SO WE STAY COMPLIANT WITH A NEW AGREEMENT TO AVOID FUTURE ISSUES. I DO NOT FEEL THAT BECAUSE WE ARE IN THE *PROCESS* OF BANKRUPTCY WE SHOULD BE PUNISHED-ESPECIALLY WITH AN INFANT IN THE HOUSE.

BASED ON THE CHART BELOW I BELIEVE WE SHOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR CAP, BUT WAS TOLD WE DO NOT QUALIFY!

The PECO CAP Rate discount is available to customers whose household income is within 150% of the federal poverty level. See chart.

Household Size Monthly Income at 150%

of Federal Poverty Level

1 $1,354 or less

2 $1,821 or less

3 $2,289 or less <--------OUR INCOME IS $2000.00

4 $2,756 or less

Each Add’l Person Add $468

WINTER PROTECTIONS FOR LOWER INCOME CUSTOMERS

• Income at or below 250% – In winter, PECO cannot shut off your electricity or gas, without PUC approval, if:

o You get or got LIHEAP assistance, or

o You are in the CAP Rate discount program for low-income customers, or

o You show PECO your income is at or below 250% of the poverty level (see chart).

Monthly Income At 250% of the Federal Poverty Level: 2010

Household Size, Including Children Monthly Adult Household Income

1 $2,256or less

2 $3,035 or less

3 $3,815 or less <------OUR INCOME IS $2000.00

4 $4,594 or less

For each additional person add: $779

EVEN AFTER ALL THIS I WAS TOLD WE WERE STILL BEING SHUT OFF. I AM OUT OF OPTIONS AND FEEL THEY ARE BEING EXTREMELY UNETHICAL.Desired Settlement: TO NOT HAVE SERVICE SHUT OFF (ESPECIALLY WITH WINTER + A BABY IN THE HOUSE) , TO SET UP PAYMENT PLAN/CAP, & AN APOLOGY FOR LACK OF CUSTOMER SERVICE AND RESPECT.

Business

Response:

Good Afternoon,

Please contact our office at ###-###-#### so that your concerns can be discussed in detail. Thank you.

Review: We had a gas leak in our home. In an attempt to report it, we waited on hold with their emergency line for over one hour. This hold time was outrageous as we were experiencing an emergency. Once we finally spoke to someone, they told us it could take at least an hour for someone to come out to our home. We are still waiting on someone to come and fix our gas leak.Desired Settlement: I would like some form of compensation in our next bill as this experience has been unacceptable.

They need to hire more workers to answer the emergency line. Waiting on hold for over an hour during an emergency is absolutely unacceptable.

Review: Peco allowed the account holder to move from where I reside with a substantial past due balance and start a new and a different residence with a balance of zero with expectations that I'd pay someone else's past due balance and won't allow me to get a new account at my residence in just name. This keeps me from getting any type of assistance I'd be eligible for. The account was able to get a new account somewhere else and leave responsibility here yet I was night allowed to make her take her past due balance with her so that I could get my own account.Desired Settlement: I would like for the original account holder to take the past due balance and be responsible for it so that I am able to get my own account.

Review: Basically, I receive a billed from PECO that includes a serive charge for Gas for $17.09, Electric $37.79. totalling $54.88 total. However, in the same billed, PECO also included wht a they term a DEPOSIT. They include 3 DEPOSITS: $135.00, $67.50 and $117.75 as well as a late charge of $3.99, Thus my total Bill is $446.62. I have never heard of paying a DEPOSIT for a UTILITY BILL. I want to be CLEAR. This is not unpaid charges, They are DEPOSIT charges which was explain to me to "motivate timely payments" by a customer representative name Victoria. This in addition to the late charges and it is not all related to services charges or previous charges nor is it a remaining or unpaid balance. I found this to be unethical Billing practices and I am not paying one cent other than the current serive charges or late fee. This DEPOSIT is $391.74 cent. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW PECO CAN CHARGE A DEPOSIT FEE FOR UTILITY. THIS IS STEALING AND I FOUND IT ABHORRENT. THIS BILLING PRACTICE IS WRONG AND UNETHICALDesired Settlement: I BELEIVE THIS POLICY OF CHARGING A DEPOSIT FEE in ADDITION TO A LATE FEE SHOULD BE ABOLSIH

Business

Response:

Good Morning [redacted],

Company records confirm you have since filed a PUC complaint. Please contact the PUC at ###-###-#### in regard to a resolution to your concern. Thank you.

Review: On April 2nd, 2014, I contacted PECO to find out how to start new service for the apartment I was moving into the next day. I was told I needed to provide two forms of ID and a valid lease. I gave in my documents on April 2nd and was told I would be contacted within three business days. I called everyday to check the status and was told to stop calling as I would definitely be contacted by Tuesday April 8th. I did not receive a call and was still without service on Wednesday April 9th, so I called PECO and was advised that my application for power was denied due to the previous tenant's bill in which I am in no way responsible for and also for providing an invalid lease. I was told that they would not be able to start service in my name even though I've never had power through PECO and this is the first lease I've ever signed. The previous tenant is disputing the past owed amount, but I am baffled as to why this stops me from getting service. I was told conflicting information when I called on Wednesday April 9th, one individual from the finance department told me I will never be approved for service until the past tenant's bill is paid and another individual from finance told me I could resubmit a valid lease since the move in date was incorrect on the first one I submitted. I faxed the lease as well as a co** of the eviction notice for the previous tenant as I was able to obtain a co** from the landlord. I still have not heard anything from PECO and am going on two weeks without power. This is mind boggling as I am a new tenant who moved in April 3rd, a new customer to PECO energy, and am fully capable of paying for electric in my name. Not having power for the past two weeks as well as currently is becoming a serious health hazard as I am unable to power a refrigerator, microwave, or my oven. Also, as the weather is becoming increasingly warm, I am unable to power fans or an air conditioner. I am locked into a lease until April of 2015 and need to start service with PECO immediately. It is completely unreasonable to deny service and hold a new tenant liable for a past tenant's bill. PECO is the only service provider for Philadelphia and even though you are able to get other rates from other energy companies, you must first have an account with PECO which I am not able to do. Aside from not having power for the past 2 weeks, PECO seems to be taking the stance of getting to my issue when they see fit. Not having power is an something that is affecting my health and well being and PECO's non-caring approach is not only frustrating, but also is causing health and financial hardships which could easily be eliminated with service being provided. I have informed them since the first contact that I have made with them that there is a young child staying in the apartment and this also does not seem to matter to them. When I ask for answers or a timeline, I get directed to another department and it seems like a constant passing of the buck and misinformation. I am willing and able to pay for my electricity and they are not providing me with that service.Desired Settlement: New service started immediately.

Business

Response:

Good Morning [redacted],

Please contact our office at ###-###-#### to discust your concerns in detail. Thank you.

Consumer

Response:

[To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed Administratively Resolved]

Review: [redacted]

I am rejecting this response because: As stated previously, I've contacted PECO numerous times since April 2nd and each time I am left with further frustration and a wide range of different responses from general customer service, finance, and the credit department about when/if I can start new service. I just attempted to call the number they provided in response to this and there are two issues. One, the number they informed me to call to "further discuss my issues" is the credit department and I am unsure as to how the credit department is involved in getting me a new account. Second, when calling this number, the operator states ""this line is busy, please call again later" and repeats the message until you hang up. I would like someone to contact me about setting up a new account right away.

Regards,

Business

Response:

Good Morning [redacted],

Your information was sent to the supervisor in Revenue Management who had your request for new service escalated. Based on documentation on the account, new service is denied in your name as you were advised by [redacted] on 4/15/14 and 4/16/14. The management office at your the property confirmed you and the prior tenant resided at the property together and are both on the lease. New service will remain denied in your name at this time. Thank you.

Consumer

Response:

[To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed Administratively Resolved]

Review: [redacted]

I am rejecting this response because: after speaking to revenue management, customer service dept, and finally past address dispute department, I was informed that my current property owner told PECO on several occasions that I was living with [redacted] at [redacted] FL, since he moved in to the apartment in 2009. This could not be any further from the truth. I was a college student in 2009, living at [redacted] PA [redacted], with my parents [redacted] and [redacted]. I also did not even meet [redacted] until I started working for the [redacted] Police Dept in July of 2012. Public record should clearly show that I was a resident at [redacted] until last year when I got my change of address card at Penndot. I am fully capable and willing to pay for the portion of the bill starting from the time of my change of address, but it is absurd to ask anymore of me. I am in disbelief that I am being held accountable for someone else's bill due to property ownership error. The current proprerty owner's took over within the last year and have never met me until 4/3/2014 when I signed the lease. I was informed by PECO that they have to believe the property owner's, yet they are completely misinformed. Yet again, I will state: I am willing to pay the portion of the bill starting from when public record shows I moved, which is March of 2013. Why I would have to pay prior to that baffles me. I need to get on a payment plan from March 2013 and get new service started immediately.

Regards,

Review: My company [redacted] LLC has been charged a 'deposit' fee numerous times in our 7 years of business by Peco. The company claims that it is for either increased usage or for delayed payments to Peco. Our usage has not increased. We have had late payments but Peco should have collected enough monies from past deposits to cover any issue. Further, the amount of $600 usually requested is disproportionate to our monthly bills and lateness. Peco consistently uses UNFAIR BILLING PRACTICES disguised in their deposit fee. We are now being threated with a 10 day Shut off notice because of the deposit. My business refuses to pay this amount. Further, we have an employee who's health condition would be greatly affected by a shut off.

Monique MasonDesired Settlement: 1. I would like PECO to add up the sum of all the deposits they've charged me over 7 years.

2. I would like this latest $600 deposit dropped as well as future requests for deposits.

3. I would like an apology.

Business

Response:

ID# [redacted] response.

The account was referred to the appropriate department to address the customer's concerns

PECO turned off my gas service because they said they needed to do maintenance on the meter. The meter is on the outside of the house. They did not notify me before turning off the service. Although they said they sent a letter, I did not open the letter until my bills were due at the end of the month. The letter said services would be turned off 2 weeks before the date I was reading the letter. Because I still had electric service I thought the letter was sent to me in error. I didn't realize it was gas service alone that was being turned off. They said they called, but we didn't receive any voice mail messages. I didn't realize there was a problem until we tried to turn our gas heater. The heater is the only utility that uses gas. They have now charged $80 to turn my gas back on. I actually have a credit balance on my account and have never paid my gas or electric bill late in the over 20+ years I've owned this house. It has taken 3 days to work with them and I've been without heat. This is not a good way to treat an honest customer that pays consistently on time. If they had attempted to do the maintenance they needed to do on the outside of the property and left a note, this wouldn't have been a problem. If they had called and left a voicemail message this would not have been a problem. If they had sent a certified mail explaining what they needed to do, this would not have been a problem. If anyone can tell me if there's another way to make sure this complaint is heard, I would appreciate a contact. Even though I had a credit balance on the account, they still treated me like a delinquent. They insisted I pay an additional $80 before they would send someone to the house to turn on heat. If there was a choice, I would switch to another gas supplier. I have no choice. Therefore, there's no need to treat a customer with respect. The people on the phone were very polite and I don't envy their job. I hold PECO management 100% responsible for very poor policies that leave their customers without heat.

Review: Peco has been overcharging me for my electric. There is no way my bill is that high. I'm not even home much because I work. Last month was way over too. I work at least 1/2 days. They are robbing me blind. Something is wrong. It isn't my furnace cause I had it serviced. I have a modular home which is small. I never had bills this high even last winter. My job has cut my hours and I can't afford bills like this. People I know bigger houses paid less than me.Desired Settlement: I don't understand it can't be. Please lower bills. Please stop charging me so high.

Business

Response:

Good Morning [redacted],

Please contact the company at ###-###-#### for a more detailed billing explanation and to possibly have a technician visit the property. Thank you.

Review: I need power to be restored to keep medication from going bad. I am diabetic and need the power on to keep specific foods too. I have returned to hospital because of the failure of peco. I have called numerous times and faxed in written papers from doctors which peco sent and they agreed to have the electric restored in one to four hours when my doctors faxed it back. This was three days ago and I am told there still is no electricity to keep the refrigerator running. The Peco company is raising my medical, hospital and food bills because of this delay. This is putting a bigger strain to pay the higher costs to have electricity.Desired Settlement: Please restore electricity quickly. Equal discount of services for food, medicine and bills because of their extreme delay.

Business

Response:

Good Morning **. [redacted],

The company received a verbal med cert from your doctore on 9/7/13. It appears service was restored on 9/8/13. Please contact our office at ###-###-#### for more information. Thank you.

Review: I have a payment arrangement with Peco in order to pay off a very large bill that accrued from being on a budget plan a year earlier. When I first got this large bill, Peco would NOT work with me to find a payment arrangement that I could afford, as I was on disability and not working at the time. I finally had to file a complaint with an outside advocacy agency who contacted Peco on my behalf and arranged a payment plan of 48 dollars and change per month in addition to my monthly bill. I have been paying this amount willingly. However, I was 7 days late on my March bill (which was only $19.57 since I over-paid in February and had a credit) so they removed me from my payment plan (with no prior call or notice) and now have me on 10 day shutoff notice even though I have now paid the $19.57 that was due. I called about the shutoff notice and was told that in order to be put back on the payment plan, I would have to pay the next installment right now, even though it is not due until April 29th (today is the 12th of April). I do not have the money to pay my bill early, and now that I have paid the $19.57 that was 7 days past due, my bill is paid up until 4/29. After arguing this, I was "transferred to a supervisor" where I was put on hold for several minutes. I spoke with a supervisor named "[redacted]", who again told me that they need the next monthly installment right now to put me back on the payment plan, even though it is not due until the 29th. She was very unhelpful and rude and told me that if I didn't pay this amount early to re-instate my payment plan that I would not qualify for another payment plan even though I am currently on unemployment and not working.Desired Settlement: I want to have my original payment plan re-instated at the very least and have these people with Peco stop messing with it and me. If at all possible, I would like some money taken off of my bill for all the time and trouble I have gone through over the past 6 months with this company, between having to consult outside advocates to get on the payment plan, and then them manipulating my bill and causing me a great deal of undue stress by sending me shutoff notices and asking for early payments when I am currently on a fixed income and can barely afford to feed myself.

Business

Response:

Good Afternoon [redacted],

You defaulted on the payment agreement on 4/8/12. In order to be reinstated on the agreement, you must pay $67.72 immediately or the reinstatement amount will increase to $115.87 on 5/6/13. Thank you.

Consumer

Response:

[To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed Administratively Resolved]

Review: [redacted]

I am rejecting this response because:

This is AGAIN DIFFERENT information from what I was told EARLIER TODAY. I am paid up in accordance with my agreement currently. I SHOULD NOT have to pay money in advance before the 4/29 due date. I am on UNEMPLOYMENT and DO NOT have the ability to pay my bill early. Since I am CURRENTLY PAID UP IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AGREEMENT I should not have to pay the next bill until the 4/29 due date. Asking me for money early is ABUSIVE AND UNFAIR and is clearly a ploy on your part to try to extort money from me against the payment agreement. YOU are the ones going against the agreement, not me.

Regards,

Business

Response:

[redacted]

A monthly bill was rendered on 3/7/13 for $19.57 with a due date of 4/1/13. The payment was never received. on 4/5/13 a monthly bill was rendered for $135.70, which included the past due balance of $19.57 in addition to current charges of $116.13 due by 4/29/13. Your agreement defaulted on 4/8/13 due to the payment of $19.57 not being received on or before 4/1/13. Full payment must post to the account on or before the due date each month to prevent defaulting on a payment agreement. Thank you.

Consumer

Response:

[To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed Administratively Resolved]

Review: [redacted]

I am rejecting this response because:

The $19.57 was paid. Check your records.

Regards,

Business

Response:

Good Morning [redacted],

I have checked company records and there is no record of a payment of $19.57. Company records confirm the last payment to post to the account was in the amount of $166.68 on 2/28/13. Where and how did you make the payment of $19.57? Please supply valid proof of payment and the company will gladly apply it to your account. Thank you.