Florida Power & Light [FPL] review: deposit 16

FPL Raping its customers for a profit...increasing security deposits on a mass basis during economically challenging times, immediately following a rate hike, and no consideration for customers or communities.

I can't believe what I read when I did a yahoo search on this. Where are the regulators? Where is the press? Merry Christmas to my family. We just got told our new deposit would be $227.00 and we are up to date on our account. We've had it for around ten years. I have a 9 month old and a 2 year old. Looks like I'll have to squeeze the wallet even more. All of this so a monopoly can add revenue. I guess this is just another type of late fee. If this is legal we've got serious problems in this country.

I received a bill for a deposit of $450.00 because I have been late in my light bill, I contacted them explaining that my husban has been out work for more then 3 months and I had been a customer for more then 10 years . that if is the way they treated thier long customer when they were going through bad time, I think they are a monopoly that no one controles.. If I could get another company I would but we are stuck with them. This why they do what ever they want.

We are in a recession the Governor/State should not allow this to be happening.

Back a few months ago I recv a bill which seemed a bit high - right a away I call FPL to have them chk my usage - they did a report, came to say seems normal - I asked should I have checked out they say - nope totally normal- next month even higher - by the 3 month my bill was $500 for one month - now I am now expert but I knew I had a problem - turned out to be out side ac unit was running constantly - Now I now it's my repsonsibility to fix but I counted on them to at least advise on "normal Usage" -never the less I was now hit with a combined bill of lost to $900 - as a single mom - with a new baby - I was making regular payments every 2 weeks as my cks permitted - that wasnt good enough have had several discts since - as I type they came and distc my service casue of deposit of $ 500 I have been trying to come up with - of course I am now on cash only - what bothers is I have been a good customer since I have moved done from NYC in 1995- but I dont think they are a good company - they know that we have no other options ! so they do what they want how they want with no regard to the people- now also I might mention my son who is 7 moths has cronic asthma! so Now I must figure out how to give him his needed machine until thursday that I get paid !

the first one is that fpl are trying to get $249 for a deposit..I do not have that just move in to new place and they said if its not paid by 12/27/10 they will shut me off.. i need electric i have a 2 year old daugther and she need this breath machin some time and they said it is not there problom and the second problem is that they will not give my girlfiend and a acount with them and they said they will give her $60 of a $249 thats just not right..they came to her house and told her if she did they was going to shut her off.she gave the man $200 that day and a church help here pay what she old ...some one please help usssssssssssssssss

The utility can require a new deposit on new service. Deposit must be paid within 10 days of account establishment. If not, the utility will send a final notice. If the final notice expires before receipt of payment, your service will be interrupted.

Deposit is based on two months’ average at that location. If the girlfriend lives in a different home, two months’ average at that location will probably be different. Her credit history may be different and she may be paying an additional deposit, not a new deposit.

If a collector goes to the residence and does not receive the full amount for which they are visiting, the collector will interrupt the service.

Contact the company and request a payment arrangement. It's not a requirement, but it may be an option. Or ask for a guarantor.

I am currently being hit for $232 additional deposit to the $186 I already have on file. Last year they sent me the letter, and was then allowed not to pay the additional deposit if I enrolled for auto pay. I did but now a year later I am being asked to pay the extra deposit and since I am now enrolled for auto pay, no way to avoid it. Seems highly unethical to me, and why is this company allowed to ask deposits of us anyway?

I have always paid on time, no late payments no disconnects had the account since 2002. We have to file complaints with the appropriate state and federal boards and contacts our representatives. This a slippery slope, can you imagine if more companies start doing this?

Today's corporations are blood sucking leeches that will suck us all dry if we don't stop them!

I have thought about leaving the state of florida because of the abuse from FPL. We also were chared an additional deposit more than once for being late. This led to a bill increase which was more difficult to pay. They told me the same thing they tell everyone else. "We are allowed to do this. Plus I was going to also recieve an additional late charge of $25 if i paid the deposit late. Its almost as if we were under a monopoly?

After more than 20 years of service thru FPL, I fell behind on my bill. Well, obviously, if I am behind, then I am having financial problems. Instead of helping, they billed me an additional $800 plus. That money has been sitting with FPL now and its been a few years. When I asked about returning the funds, they told me that I would have to make consistent payments for 23 months on time... sorry if it runs a few days behind, but the economy is strugling, and so are we. This is rediculous!

how dare people charge money for their services.. I am a college student with a car, cable bill, and student loans to pay.. i cant afford to pay EVERYONE for the services I need.. something should be done about this and i will be contacting Obama.. i should not have to choose between paying my cable bill or my light bill.. this is ridiculous

I think it's ridiculous for me to move two blocks over and was told to pay $340.00 for a deposit and they also reminded me ther will be a new bill and also transfer fess. I'm a single mother with two kids and work 50 hours per week and never asked for a payment extension and never had my power shut off. It's a sad day when you tell your child to put some groceries back because we can't afford this month..

Call this person.. she will help

Ellen Plendl
Regulatory Specialist
Florida Public Service Commission
Division of Service, Safety, & Consumer Assistance
[protected] (phone)
[protected] (fax)

Yes I agree, what they are doing to their customers is unconstitutional. Why should you have to pay a deposit because sometimes you're late? It does not make sense! And they know why they do it! because they can, and know one can tell them diffrent. FPL is a greedy company, with now compassion for their customers and their situations. I Just hear the news about how some ones house got burnt down because they used candles to light their homes, unbelievable and this is in America.

i've had basiclly the same issue with them. they are trying to collect 238.00 from me cause i was late 1 time by 3 days. they tried telling me i was late 2 times but it was my first bill? but anyways, i contacted thier shift superviser mrs hanley and the response i got from her was there is nothing you can do no matter what i said she said i couldn't do anything about it...so basiclly they know you NEED them and refuse to give a inch. if there was a second company they would be forced to waive it or treat you better cause you would leave them. Lets see if theres nothing i/we can do! i was told by her not to call back about this issue so lets contact the christ about a monoply abusing thier customers

this is for marath b who camplained about fpl they do what they want because your right they are the only com. and we need lights
obamas email is president@whitehouse.gov

I had a similar experience as you all did with the requested deposit from FPL, but I went a step further after I read all of your stories, I wrote an e-mail and copied Charlie Christ's office and Diaz Balart’s. I am looking for a way to send it to the President elect Obama’s office as well, we can't just complaint here and expect for something to be done by others. We need to take action, apparently it works.
After I sent my e-mail I received a phone call from the governor’s office, and another one from FPL.
Guys take action, let’s raise our voice and make a difference.
We are the ones that pay for their salaries including FPL's employees lets get involved and make the changes we need so no one has to go through this again.
Happy Holidays!