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Public Service Electric & Gas [PSEG]

Public Service Electric & Gas [PSEG] review: pse&g bills overcharging consumers 9

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12:53 pm EDT
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I am a disabled person. Pse&g mailed me in may 2009 an overinflated bill via us mail.

They falsely claim that my home electric usage in april 2009 was 5223 kwh and in may 2009 was 5212 kwh. 5, 000 kwh is typically the usage of a building with 15-20 houses (I only live in one). My bill came to $1, 949, 74.

Thi ruined my day and gave me nightmares for months afterwards.

I called pse&g in may and spoke to a "christine" and all she said was "the only thing I can do for you is to send an investigator to see what is attached to the meter" without apology nor sensitivity.

I live alone and the disturbing thing is that for the entire month of april 2009, the house was totally empty as I was outside the country for a month.

I called pse&g again in may and they said that many customers have had similar similar inexplainable "spikes" which was caused by a glitch in their "new" system... And they asked me not to worry and that they are fully aware of my historical monthly usage, etc, etc. They promised to send an investigator to fix this problem.

No one ever came. I called several times, and they kept telling me that they are a little behind but someone will come by and fix this mess.

May, june and july passed and no one came. Still, pse&g, using the us postal service were still sending me "overcharged" bills...

In august, I called and my "request for investigation" in may was lost and they offered to issue a "new" request for investigation.

I insisted on speaking to a supervisor... A supervisor "tony" called me and immediately, and without any evidence, started "speculating" without any facts that there "may" have been a "short" in my house that "may" have caused the spike... And then added that, even though this is very unlikey with a 0.01% possibility, if the meter in my house is functioning properly, that means that I will be responsible for 10, 000 kwh consumption for 2 months.

I am horrified... And I feel totally helpless and totally under the total mercy of pse&g and its gigantic might especially when they are the "other party", "the investigator" and the judge.

I filed 2 complaints with the board of public uitlities, a board that is supposed to be a "consumer protection agency" and spoke to mr. Dickson.

The first words out of his mouth were "pse&g will check the meter.. If the meter is functioning, then you have somehow consumed the 10, 000 kwh in 2 months. He then went ahead to praise pse&g saying that they are accurate, they can be trusted, and their investigation is final... This is coming from the mouth of the agency that is supposed to protect the consumer... He added:"we are neutral" as opposed to we protect the consumer...in fact, he is letting pse&g be the other party, the investigator and the judge. Whether they commit fraud or not, it is not his concern.

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9 comments
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Ashish J
Pennington, US
Jul 10, 2013 9:45 pm EDT

I am also recent victim of their "estimated" meter reading scam. They sent bill TWO weeks late and when I submitted meter reading, they refused to adjust bill because it's too late for system to take adjustments.
I am thinking to file complaint in board of public utilities but above post says, it's no use

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chewy s
Camden, US
Apr 21, 2013 7:03 am EDT

I am having the same problem. They are charging an estimated gas bill and have been for months. I have called and no one is coming out to "investigate". I refuse to pay them $70 a month for just gas when the only things in my house that are gas are my stove and hot water. I work 2 jobs and am not home to even cook. I eat out almost every noght and I dont shower but 2 times a day. How is my bill $70? More over I checked my meter and it read 5132 but PSEG has my reading at 7139. Thats 2007kwh more than what I should actually owe. So my estimation is they owe ME!

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traybanger
, US
Jun 08, 2011 9:01 pm EDT

i just got my bill from pseg and that they are saying that i use over 4 thousand dollars in a one month time. and that i live in a second floor apartment that is on one bedrooms and what i have plugged in does not use that much electric. now what i want to know is how they think that some one that is on ssi and ssd can afford to pay this bill. the people at pseg do not care about any one all they care about is them self and no one else. i feel that some one needs to get a lawyer and also get them out of newark new jersey

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Civitas Energy
New York, US
Nov 23, 2010 3:01 pm EST

It's hard to argue with real experiences but unfortunately these things happen, however the reality is that you shouldn't t have to put up with it. And the great thing is that you don't: there are other choices to get energy out there - I am of course referring to solar energy.

You may have heard about solar before, but what you may not have heard is that solar can offset you bills to practically nothing and it is far more affordable than you might think:
a) If one has the means they can purchase it for cash, It pays for itself in about 6 to 7 years. No more bills plus it earns you an income. Enough said.
b) One can also take out a loan and finance it that way. Immediate savings can still be achieved from day one even with a loan however the payback term is slightly lengthened to account for the loan interest payments. You still get the income through selling your energy credits and when the loan is paid off you have full energy savings and the income combined; or
c) the third option that one can take is to lease a solar system. In this case the leasee is able to lower their electricity bills today and continue to pay that same low amount each month for the entire lease term of eight years - and with no upfront cost to the leasee.
For example, if you are paying an average electricity bill of $120/month (1, 400/year) you will only have to pay about $96/month (or $1, 152/year) for the next eight years -- even if electricity rates are sky-rocketing. At worst you save $288 in the first year for doing nothing, and as rates rise you save more. The best part is you don't have to pay anything to have it installed: The financier takes care of that.

It's awful to hear stories like these, but because it's PSE&G it means you're in New Jersey and New Jersey happens to be the best state in the country for assisting individuals with adopting solar. So, if PSE&G are causing you grief then give solar a thought.

If any of you have interest in finding out more, please do not hesitate to contact me at patrick@civitasenergy.com, or, visit our website at www.civitasenergy.com.

Regards - Patrick Gallagher

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Fermin Mendez
Newark, US
Feb 04, 2010 12:45 pm EST

Maybe we all need to make a complaint to the state, Maybe the state could help us.

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Fermin Mendez
Newark, US
Feb 04, 2010 12:42 pm EST

I live at 290 montclair ave newark, nj the bill is very high I went to complaint I was told a investigator would call me, This was in Nov of 09. My Name Mr. Mendez. I still waiting I live in a two apt house, but there are 3 apts.

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Sobeida
, US
Oct 23, 2009 10:26 am EDT

They have overcharging me. Today somene came to shut down my meter. Can you believe that? ! I have always paid without hesitation. I declined to pay $300 for heating in July (summer!). I went to their offices & they assured me that not to worry thet I "only owed $200 in for both July & Aug". Now They want to shut off my accts saying I still owe "all the money from b4".

And they say that there's only one other company that offer their services. So, is this a monopoly then?

I am horrified by what user Nabils has said now. Who do I go now?
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wii2005
, US
Oct 21, 2009 8:52 am EDT

I RECEIVED A PSEG BILL FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER THAT HAD AN "ESTIMATE" READING CHARGES. CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE WHICH BY THE WAY WORSE THAN CALLING INDIA AND IT WAS A NIGHTMARE. WAS ON HOLD FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES TILL AN AGENT CAME UP. I REQUESTED TO HAVE SOMEONE COME ONSITE TO READ THE METER FOR "ACTUAL" READING AND THE AGENT STATED THAT THE BILL SHOWS THAT SOMEONE DID COME OUT BUT MY LANDLORD DIDN'T LET THEM IN BECAUSE NOONE ANSWERED THE DOOR WHEN THEY ARRIVED. THE AGENT ALSO TOLD ME THAT "THEY CAN ONLY COME ONSITE AFTER R THREE OR FOUR ESTIMATED READINGS, I CAN MAKE A SPECIAL APPOINTMENT TO HAVE SOMEONE SHOW UP ON A SATURDAY (BECAUSE EVERYONE IS OFF THAT DAY) TO READ". I NEVER HEARD OF SUCH THING BEFORE. PSEG IS TRAINING THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE AGENTS NOT ONLY HOW TO BS CUSTOMERS BUT HOW TO ARGUE INSTEAD OF BEING PLEASANT. TOO BAD WE CANNOT CHOOSE A DIFFERENT PROVIDER. F*** U PSEG

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docholiday
, US
Oct 15, 2009 1:28 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

they do comit fraud even if rates fall they still try to get their money back from yhe public .they charged me 850 dollars for nat gas, when all i have is a hot water heater. this cmpany has rippng off the public for60yrs.

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