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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Posts
    3

    Default Is It Legal to Shut Off Power 3 Weeks After a 3day Shut Off Notice

    My question involves a consumer law issue in the State of: New York

    I was given a 3 day shut off notice for my gas and electric on Jan 26. I had made a payment of $200 on Jan 11 and then after the notice I had made a second payment of $100 on Jan 26. I had called and given the power company the confirmation numbers for both payments and never heard anything more. I made a third payment of $40 just to keep things in check and thought all was well and good. Then this morning at 10am I hear a knock on the door and they are there shutting off my power telling me no payments had been made. Come to find out there was an extra digit in my payment account i wasn't aware of and in stead of the power company calling and saying we haven't recieved any payments they shut it off 3 weeks after the 3 day notice. Is that legal or am I crazy to think other wise?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Southeastern Michigan
    Posts
    1,226

    Default Re: Is It Legal to Shut Off Power 3 Weeks After a 3day Shut Off Notice

    Unfortunately things like this happen; something dropped through the cracks.

    You need to go down, in person, to the utility companys with billing and account numbers in hand, including confirmation numbers in order to sort this thing out.

    If you made arrangements to pay the bill, and lived up to those arrangements, then no, they cannot simply turn the utilities off. If they made a mistake, they are usually more than willing to return service and honor the agreement.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Posts
    3

    Default Re: Is It Legal to Shut Off Power 3 Weeks After a 3day Shut Off Notice

    Well there had been a typo in the online payment but both times i made a payment online (well it was my boss actually) i had called to give them a confirmation number. I called with confirmation numbers and went in with print offs stating it had gone through but the girl didn't take the time to read that part obviously and told me i had to get proof from the bank saying it was sent to them. Had they called to say nothing had come through that would be one thing but what a shock to wake up to them just turning it off.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Southeastern Michigan
    Posts
    1,226

    Default Re: Is It Legal to Shut Off Power 3 Weeks After a 3day Shut Off Notice

    Unfortunately, that's the way most utilites companies do things. If it doesn't hit their system or they don't take the time to review the information and reconcile errors, then you need to prove you made payments.

    Show them proof then go from there. If the 'clerk' won't help, then demand (very politely) to speak to a customer service manager and don't leave until you do!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Posts
    3

    Default Re: Is It Legal to Shut Off Power 3 Weeks After a 3day Shut Off Notice

    Well not to mention I allowed my boss to speak with them because I know my temper dealing with situations like this and they said they would have a manager call back which never happened. I was on the phones with people and even going into RG&E from 10-5 to get my power turned back on because of this error which granted was his fault (my boss). So now i have $200 in groceries i need to some how replace along with time wasted with these people after trying to jump through hoops for them and all I got was a refrigerator of rotting food.

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