Tampa Electric / Teco Energy
Reviews and Complaints

We have lived in our home now for 6 years and have never dealt with any High electric bill as far as significantly High 600s 700s and $50 a month since this digital meter had to go in TECO has gotten ridiculous and you don't have a choice but to have TECO there are no other options for electric company so you either pay it or your service gets shut off all the fees and deposits that I've been charged for over a year now I've reached out to eight on my side haven't heard anything back from them neither my bill is now officially $4,258 in $0.66 had a home audit done and they found nothing my living space is a little over 1200 square footage this is ridiculous they refuse to credit any money back or anything else that is more than double my bill that has ever been since they put this meter in and I've even talked with the manager named Alex and he only credited me $35 and that was for a late fee when I was entered in in an installment payment plan and told me that I would be charged the late fee every month because of the balance that was due who these days would be able to pay over $700 electric bill put food on the table plus pay your water plus pay your mortgage insurance vehicles you name it it's ridiculous and somebody needs to please step in and do something us as customers we need help TECO is out of control and they say next year in September customer rates would go down yeah they can go down but we're also going to be owing a back past due amount we're all going to be in debt with them no matter what

I moved to a new Condo 3 days back and TECO cycle ended. I am getting charged for 900kwh for 3 days and i have not even used 100kwh. What can be done? TECO is really unprofessional and Very BAD Service.

I am so sorry to hear how the bills seem to be so high for us! I just received the highest bill I have ever seen in my life since this new meter. My bill is about triple what it should be and I am not even taking a shower everyday. There is something wrong at this place and when I am fairly certain it is this new meter I will definitely be letting everyone know. For now I am asking for help and an energy audit and I am paying up what I can and I guess I will be throwing away the computer the range and the clothes dryer I hardly use anyway if I have to. My A/C is brand new and the thermostat is set to be off so much and comes on and goes to a warm 78 so I do not have the slightest what could be costing much. Could someone tell me if someone could tap into my meter somehow and I end with their bill and my own?

I too recently received a digital meter. My bill is double what it normally is with no additional service used. The bill was estimated at double the rate I normally use. I have not used their estimated kilowatt hours in any month of the 17 years that I have lived in the house. It is not a conincidence. It is dishonest and TECO should be sued. Also, agree that their customer service people are extremely rude. Only a supervisior will even began to consider listening to your issue

I too recently received a digital meter. My bill is double what it normally is with no additional service used. The bill was "estimated" at double the rate I normally use. I have not used their estimated kilowatt hours in any month of the 17 years that I have lived in the house. It is not a conincidence. It is dishonest and TECO should be sued. Also, agree that their customer service people are extremely rude. Only a supervision will even began to consider listening to your issue.

We received a new meter the last week of September 2010. Teco had given us a warning that if we didn't change our meter they would disconnect our electricity. Our bill went up almost double in October. It went up more in November. Just received my December bill and it was three times what it has been in the past year. I contacted TECO and gave them a current meter reading and they bluntly stated that the digital meter was accurate. I questioned the person on the other end of the phone if it could possibly be a defective meter and she rudely repeated that the meter was giving an accurate reading. We have only energy saving appliances which are just a little over a year old. We have been remodeling our home so we have reinsulated exterior walls and installed 5/8" drywall upon the interior of said exterior walls. We have replaced the old air conditioning unit with a brand new 15 seer and had our home zoned (this all occurred in June 2010). The first person I spoke with at Teco stated that due to the colder weather that our pool's heat pump could be causing the rise in rates. We don't have a pool. I firmly believe that the meter are either defective or Teco has found a way to stick it to their customers.

They don't care. My husband has cancer-it is 95 degrees and they want a random deposit of $405.00 which needs to be paid or they will disconnect my service. They wont take payments and a supervisor offered no help. My power has never been turned off and I have had service with them for 15 years. Yes I have been late a few times, but obviously times are tough for me and everyone else. Why are they hitting us for more money now when everyone is struggling? We will need to sit here in the dark and in the heat until it can be paid. My guess is that will take a few weeks to scrape that extra money together. What do I do about my refrigerator and freezer etc? I hope it makes them a bigger and better company at the end of the day to know the effect that they are having on the community.

I agree f...u...c...k liberals

If you are upset with teco and you voted for any liberal you have no one to blame but yourself. Increased rates are due to environmental protection agency regulations. Teco uses coal and has since its inception.

How would one go about forming a group to fight against Teco? In January of 2014 my mother moved out of the family home to go live with her brother who is in failing health, however I stayed in the family home. The Teco Electric bill was paid in full and had a 0 balance as of January of 2014. Last month I got a letter from Teco stating that "Someone" opened a second line of service in my mothers name at a different address and that she owed them $138.99! We were told to make a police report, and file it. Why do we have to prove that this was not of our doing when we obviously have not, and are still in the same home for over 30 years! Now because of this now they are asking for a $310 deposit! Please HELP!

Email me at my daughters email if anybody can help. barbaraalixa04@hotmail.com

Teco just flat out sucks. Electric bills goes from $140 one month and the next almost $300. Not sure what the problem is, but they need to get their crap together. Charging people franchise fee, state fee, city fee. What is all that about? Duke Energy just needs to take over the state of Florida completely. Never had this issues with them and trust me. If I could and they serviced this area, there's no doubt in my mind that I would give teco the boot.

I have always sent my payments in by check, in plenty of time to meet the due date. Within the past 9-12 months, I notice that my check is not clearing in a timely manner, and now I am being charged a $5.00 late fee. The response I get when I call is that there are other payment options for me to use. My response is, if they can't cash my check on a timely basis, then don't offer the ability to pay by check. Then the customer service person basically told me that, sure, she'd refer my call to a supervisor, but they might look at my account and make me pay a deposit because I had been "late" 4 times in the past year. And "late", is TECO not getting my check posted in a timely manner. How frustrating that there are no other options to get power except TECO, so there's not much their "customers" can do. Plus, their customer service lines are a nightmare, just like Verizon. Endless voicemails, hold times of 10 minutes or more, and ultimately no resolution to the problem at hand. Really frustrated, but nothing I can do, and they know it.

I am a single mother going through a nasty divorce, just moved to the area and they are charging me a $470 deposit... This is crazy, spoke to a supervisor and there's nothing they can do.. This company is the worst.

OK. I have NOT had an apartment/house with electric bill in my name for over 7 years.
When I did have the electric in my name, my bill was about $44-52 a month. Yes, I did put down
a deposit. I Think it was about $250 back then. If I decide next month to go with a rental where
I pay my own elec. Will I have to pay a deposit again...being that I haven't had it in my name
for some time?

TECO customer service is very bad and sub-standard. I have had the same experance I just did file a complaint with the BBB and aperntly 70 other people have as well I sujest thatevery one on here does the same. Also I have had better results with Customer service that had been outsourced in India and other places than with TECO prehaps it is time that they outsource there substandard customer service i am sure that this will improve our experance with them and lower ther cost and our price.

AS of today my daughter has been given the runaround for electric service in her new condo, she has been transferred, left messages told of lost paperwork, she has resubmitted twice all the needed work and still does not have service. I would love to have someplace else to get out electric but we dont. I am unsure if it is stupidity, reverse discrimination or just plain laziness on the part of teco and their departments to put a young lady in danger for this long period of time. You bet my next move is to my attorney.

i would like to say too that my uncle is a judge so if you all band together we can stop this. thanks victoria reigle

Yeah it's theme . I don't know what kind of employee they have but i called to turn on my gas, and i told her that i'm going to buy the house, but i don't have the key yet, so she have to give me exact time or call me before so that the real estate agent can open the door for them.and boy that women who answer the phone was soooooo rude, and stupid in the same time.her name is Nancy and code # 7383. she told me that i have to be there from 8 am to 8pm, and if i'm late the're going to charge me !

I hate TECO they are making me pay for my current apartment and my last apartment this is January my lease was up in September for the last apartment. My old apartment sent a letter to TECO letting them know they have since rented that apartment out and that the new residents are paying them as well for that apartment. Does TECO refund me my 550.00 they made me pay for two apartment no they credit the old apartment so they say but these new people bill does not show a credit. And what do they do tell me I have a late fee for not paying for November when I paid them 150 for two apartments for the month of November then turn around and paid 139.89 I hate TECO to the point I want to buy generators and live that way. I cannot continue to go through this, I am now researching if there is a law against using generators because I cannot continue to use my lunch break to fight with TECO.

TECO sucks, have asked for 3 different deposits. The last one they turned off my electric till I paid it. Turned off my power from the pole instead of the house and wants to charge me another $145.00 connection because they said my gate was locked. I have been a customer for 7 1/2 yrs. Put a latch on the gate for access so they can come in, their demand for the latch. I keep the gate closed due to the cows getting out. Their excuse, I locked the gate, it doesn't lock. She said I should have left the gate open, can't the cows will get out, she said she understands, how? I can't leave it open. She said she can't do anything about it. I pay it or they turn it off. Cold cold thieves, they are.

FYI THIS WORKS filed complaint this morning and things have been taken care of. Teco emailed me within 2 hours after submitting the complaint. www.psc.state.fl.us/consumers/complaints/index2.aspx

go to www.psc.state.fl.us/consumers/complaints/index2.aspx
and make a formal complaint about tampa electric or any other electric company. it also has numbers you can call to complain. This is what I had to do.
Good Luck!

I had almost the same thing happen to me. This is crazy!

I don't know if there is much anyone can do. They might be government regulated, but they are definitely profiteers to the Nth degree. Fuel costs go down? Lets raise rates.

This only applies to some people thatr can afford this... but the Florida Deparartment of Energy has a grant program for solar energy installations. They will pay $4 PER kW up to $20k, so you can get a 5kW system and have a reimbursement from the state in the amount of $20k. I realize most people complaining on here don't have the extra money laying around to do this, but it's just a thought.

My bill went up $100 last month, NOTHING has changed. If anything, we use LESS of the dishwasher and less of the dryer/washing machine BECAUSE of TECO. For the last month, my lights have been dimming uncontrollably when anything gets turned on, I swear there is a drain coming from outside and it's causing my electric bill to go up. I am going to get the dimming on tape (it does it VERY frequently)... 3 times just since I've started typing this last paragraph... so we'll see if that changes anything. I've already installed a 7 day A/C timer, CFL bulbs, solar tint on all the windows and timers on ALL the lights. WTF else am I supposed to do. I live in an 1800sq ft SOLID CONCRETE TOWNHOME and my A/C is set at 78 during the day.

And you're right, everyone in their "CS Department" needs a lesson in manners. I hate to make this about race, but sometimes it is with certain people. Every one of them is black, I'm not, I've never heard so much disdain and "I don't give a [censored]ness" when you call them towards me. The ONLY person I've EVER had a good conversation with at that place is what sounded like an older women who seemed like she was someones grandmother. I've documented all the emails and calls that I've made to them PRIOR to ever having my electric disconnected... only one of them was returned. I was then told that since I didn't take care of the issue prior to it being disconnected, I was SOL and that there weren't any assistance programs out there to help me since the electric was off - but to call Red Cross, the local Goodwill, etc...

...are you kidding me?

Hopefully more sooner than later, Progress will be here.

First I must say...I have never despised a company as much as I despise TECO. I cannot even believe their practices and procedures are LEGAL!...I read all of this and have experienced every one of these things with this gestapo of a utility company.
I recently told one of their CSR's (and I use that term loosley considering CUSTOMER and SERVICE are two terms that TECO knows nothing about) that I was going to file a complaint with the BBB. This stone cold representative responded to my frustration with a comment that they are a government regulated utility company and do not rely upon or affiliate with the BBB.
They are a monopoly and their practices need attention and action at a higher level. I love the prospect of Progress Energy - how do we push to get them here!?...I have actually considered living WITHOUT power just to simply avoid doing business with TECO.
The security deposits with random increases due to late bills, or service interruptions, etc., is UNBELIEVABLE! I swear this company is making a ton of money investing and playing with all of the consumer "security" deposit funds. Applying the money to the final bill with interest paid is a small fee for them condering the millions they are probably making off it. And they have the nerve to request a rate hike to boot?
The latest issue that has pushed me over the top is the spike in my bills...I too have gone from $250 a month to $500!...I have doubled as well. because of the high bills, my security deposit is insufficient to cover their potential exposure so they demanded additional funds...I wouldn't pay...you got it...shut off with total amount due and reconnection fee to turn me back on. I had to pay $1000 with another $500 bill on the way. I called to make a payment arrangement for the new $500 bill but due to the drop in my customer rating (due to the turn-off - apparently you fall from grace quite easily) I do not qualify for any assistance. Pay or get shut off again! I went up the whole chain of command to no avail.
But...the clincher is they have no idea why I have such a steep spike in my bill - I requested an energy audit...the earliest they can get someone out to me was over 30 days away...August 21st is my appointment...but yet they can have someone out within 24 hours for a disconnect.
I am furious and looking for any mechanism I can find to bash this corrupt company.
I agree they will pay the minute there is another game in towm. Others have learned their lesson. Monopolies do not always last forever...PLEASE save us Progress Energy!

I went out of town in February unexpectedly. I ended up being gone for three months. Since I had JUST moved into my new place, I didn't have direct withdraw setup (this is an important fact to remember for something later) so not having paid my bill, they disconnected our power (this was in March). So before we came back, I made sure I brought it current so when we got back, we'd have power. So we get back, no big deal, power is on, everthing is hunkie-dorie. So a few days later, I get a letter from Teco saying I needed to come up with a $425 deposi (two months bill) because I had the power cut off and had been late on some of the payments previously. I wasn't late due to insufficient funds, I was late because I forgot to pay my ONE BILL that wasn't automatically drafted out of my checking account. I was almost positive that I had set it up so it was auto drafted but apparently, I was mistaken (this is important later as well). Keep in mind, I had 3 homes on one bill and at one point, my bill was $800 for all of them and was never late until I moved... and I've been in Tampa since 2003 and have spent probably close to $10k on electricity since I keep it cold.

So - I write Teco's customer service online, very detailed, very specific and get a generic reply that "they are sorry" but can't help us. I write them TWO MORE TIMES... nothing. I assumed (wrongfully) that they were being nice and waived the deposit since I didn't get any more notifications / disconnect notices (I got one with the first deposit notification). So I wake up two weeks ago and my power is off. I call to find out what's up and four different people tell me that it's my fault for not following up (I emailed 3 times) and that I needed to come up witht he money for the deposit AND the bill that was due. I asked for their management department and got the same aggrevating person as the generic CS dept and heard the same thing, "well sir, don't you think you should have followed up". I said, "you guys seem to be real good at sending disconnect notices, I got ONE in April and not another, so I assumed at my own fault thinking you had waived it." So anyways. I pay the deposit AND I pay half the next months bill ($253), $550 total. Electricity is on, everything is fine. I go into my checking account last week and see a charge for $253 (current bill) having been atomatically taken out of my account. Now keep in mind that they said my bill wasn't paid which is why they disconnected my service back in March... they also didn't draft my deposit out of my account, thus keeping my acount on and keeping me from having to come up with the $140 reconnect fee (for a second time). So explain to me how my account, if they said I hadn't set it up, did they just draft it out of my account last week?

To top it off, my ex wife is having the SAME PROBLEM right now. They applied an $1100 dollar combined bill from two other homes we used to own to her current bill, cutting her power off twice. She owed $1300 (so they say). Long story short for her is that they said there is $900 on a house I used to live in that was shut off in November of last year... I moved out in June and the power was shut off. How do I know this? Well besides the obvious "no power" there was a bag of chicken in the fridge that defrosted causing my old house to smell like sewage... it was so bad that the guys helping me move, threw up and one had to stay outside. Add smelly, rotting chicken to a house with no A/C and you have a health hazard. It was DISGUSTING. I can further prove it that when the real estate agent who did the BPO (broker price opinion) came over, he noted how bad it smelled, this was in JUNE!

I hate Tampa Electric. I wish I had solar. For the record. Florida Dept of Energy gives a stippen to residential home owners in the amount of $20k ($4 per watt) on a system that you have professionally installed. Problem is, you have to have it installed FIRST before they give you a credit.

Oh - and to the guy whose bill doubled, I had the same problem at my new place, PRIOR to us moving in. My bill was $450 and we weren't using the fridge, the washer/dryer, nothing. We used the lights to paint, that was it. I called and asked for an energy audit, they said, "we're just going to give you suggestions on what you can do to help keep your bill down. All the uggestions, I had already done. CFL bulbs, SOLAR TINT ON THE WINDOWS, timers on lights that are frequently used (bathroms) and a timer on my A/C. They just said, "you must have things plugged in". What? I didn't live here at the time. I bought this unit in June, moved in end of July.

I'd be glad to talk to anyone else that's had problems. Today was the last straw for me (my ex wife calling with the same issue for a second time). We don't really talk or get along, but I believe her and do feel sorry for what's going on. TECO is a MONOPOLY. Progress Energy needs to get service down here, EVERYONE would switch.

Email me further at my Craigslist anonymous email (so I don't get spam).

(splitting it up so the spider bots don't save my email)

tampascraigslist at yahoo dot com

We are all getting the shaft. They have a monopoly and they know they can charge whatever they want and they can get away with it. My deposit is 405.00 and they want it by the 30th of June or they are shutting my power off. I called yesterday and a supervisor told me that if I dont pay the deposit- they will turn me off. I have good credit- been a Teco customer since 1993 and I have never had my power turned off. I am determined to fight this. They are not shutting customers off because they dont pay their bill- they are shutting them off because they are demanding that we pay them 2 months service- randomly-in one of the toughest of economic times. When other options become available to Teco customers- they will be in dire straights just like Verizon had to wake up and realize they suddenly had competition and they couldn't simply "charge whatever they want-whenever they want". They have not heard the last from me.
John S

TECO had me arrested because I allegedly "stole" electricity from them by running an extension cord from a house that had "an illegal hook-up".
There was a lengthy 'investigation' that led to my arrest. I cannot find a lawyer in Tampa, Florida that has balls enough to sue these rodents. TECO MUST be stopped before ALL residents in Tampa suffer the losses that I have. Send me a lawyer with balls PLEASE before it's too late for all of us! Extortion is one thing. Monopoly is another, but being FALSELY charged with theft is OUTRAGEOUS. This is the END for TECO. I will spend the rest of my life suing these cockroaches and making them suffer just like they did to me..

This is exactly what they are doing, EXTORTION from the consumers who can't change eletric companies! There is a monopoly going on! How can they hold over $550.00 in deposit just in case you leave your home! Sounds like a ggod scam to me!

I am facing the same problem. We (two people) live in a small 2 bedroom 1 bath cinderblock house. No pool, extra nothing. We move in a year ago with $145 bill mo. We lock our back yard up because we have a dog. So our bill goes up and up and I request a digital meter, now I am leaving my back yard unlocked for installment. 5 months go by unlocked. No installment. Bill keeps getting higher. I call to find out why this happening. The rap tells me ways to save energy (lower A/C, change bulbs etc.) Okay went to home depot, tried out a few things. Bill keeping coming in ^. I'm upset, we are a young couple, not too much extra money to support. I call again, speak to a rep and she tells me because my gate is locked they have to estimate (its not locked!) and to check the local weather. They estimate that we've turned up our A/C to accommodate. NO we keep it at a constant 78-90 degrees, remember our power saving tip? $436.56 for August 2009.
Here's the kicker. We checked the mail today and guess what, current balance $1, 125.38 Sep 2009 334 kWh per day. They said they got in to the back yard and read the meter and they are back billing us for all the time they couldn’t get to the meter. So let’s do this. Say our regular bill was $225 monthly. They said they back billed us $900 since May. That would tack on an about $225 more each month. However you do the math it is not right. I've set up a payment plan for an additional $100 tacked to each bill for the next 9 months. What the F! I am just putting in my two cents. This is criminal!

They could not get into by back yard and they back billed me over $1, 000. I live in a smal house and work over 40 hrs wk, am never home to use the amount of power they are billing me for. In the first place my bill is over $200 mo.

That is because the first rate increase has already taken effect as of the beginning of the year. That is what I was told by a representative of Teco via phone.

I am on SSI and have resided in my home for over 20 years. I have been a customer of TECO for over 25 years. I am being charged a deposit raising my new bill to over 1500. My lights have not been turned off .Yes I pay late but again I am on SSI and my bill is extremely high for 2200 sq ft home. Ranging from 400 - 600 every month..

I called and told them I was supposed to have been put on a program for customers that are on a fixed income to give them more time but was never put on it until this deposit was issued and I noticed now I am on it. They won't work with me. Knowing how inflation and times are tough right now.

Its horrible.

Does anyone know how to get TECO to waive the deposit?

20 years I have been in my home I am not going anywhere they know this.

I agree I was also charged an additional deposit on an existing account. I told the representative that I do not like their policy and I would like the name of their competitor. so I can switch she said they are the only electric company servicing this area. I believe this is the definition of a Monopoly it is illegal in this country and they abuse this. cell phone companies and cable companies do not have the same policy because people can switch. I will be filing papers.

I am suffering the same situation. I have lived in my home for over 15 years. I have been late on my TECO bill two times. This last early part of August, I traveled to Cincinnati on an emergency to assist my brother who was to undergo surgery and then I traveled to Chicago to assist my adult children in babysitting their baby while they moved. I forgot to pay the TECO bill prior to travel. I did provide the post office with a forwarding address for a Chicago address. By the time I received the TECO bill, it was too late. The bill for $103.01 was due by August 15 and by August 25, my power was turned off. Fortunately a friend and a neighbor advised me of this on August 26 and I paid the requesting billing of $175. Later, I received notice VIA MAIL that this was payment towards the $175 deposit which I automatically owed because I had received a final notice the prior September also. When I returned home on the evening of September 13, I immediately put in the mail box for September 15 mail pick up a check for $210. When I received some of my back dated mail, I received a bill of about $239 and so I mailed an additional check to TECO for $40. Then on September 17, I receiver a notice from TECO that I owed $291xx or my service would be cancelled by September 23. I did call TECO on September 18 and requested to speak to a supervisor who did state that she is seeing the payments but they have not yet been posted and no, my service would not be cancelled on September 23 as the $55 additional costs are part of the current cycle. The question I have is why was I not charged the $175 plus the $103.01 on the initial call? Gronda from New Tampa

YES IT HAPPEN TO ME TO I NEED TO PAY 275.00DEP. BUT I'M SENDING AN APPEAL LETTER TO PO BOX 111 TAMPA, FL 33601... WE ALL NEED TO TALK AND THEY NEED TO HEARD US...

Warning ; TampaElectric aka TECO playing a nasty game by charging 2 times the 4.95 fee when using their justpayit online payment .

Been with TECO at same address for 22 years. Having financial problems and have cut back my use of electricity to almost half of what my bill used to be, sometimes warmer or colder than I would like in my home but had to cut back somewhere. I know I am paying my bill late but always pay, they are inconvenienced by having to send me a final notice postcard in the mail but I am paid every 2 weeks and sometimes the money isn't there when needed. I received a deposit request for 550.00 and tried to contact them to see if I could have a couple days grace period until payday but all I can get is a voice recording telling me that my account isn't eligible. I placed the payment for a day later than what they wanted so that the money would be in my account. Hope I have electricity when I get home. How do you get to a live person? After reading some of the articles not sure if I want to speak to them anyway.

SO...I don't get a bill from Teco People's Gas...but they decide to place a yellow door hanger on my door on Thurs 4/4 (which that charged me $20 to do...nice) anyway, the hanger says pay by 4/6 to avoid disconnection...I had back to back meetings, and got back late Fri night (4/5), go to take a shower...and YOU GUESSED IT...NO HOT WATER...they shut off the gas on 4/5...doucebags...OFCOURSE they are closed on the weekends...guess who I am calling tomorrow morning at 8 am?

Teco custmer service sucks... they don't have any consideration for anything or anyone. I hate TAMPA ELECTRIC COMPANY

We have been with TECO 28 years and now they want us to give them a deposit of $400.00 so they can make more money off it's Customers. THIS IS EXTORTION AND THEY GET AWAY WITH IT? THIS IS BLACK MAIL PURE AND SIMPLE.

Have I got a nightmare story about Tampa electric? I moved from N.Y. to Tampa Fl. 6 months ago. They tell me in spite of my good credit they need a $250 deposit. I explain to the women that I feel that is an unreasonable amount to request for a deposit, that my N.Y. deposit was less than half of that. The women said you are not in N.Y. anymore and without the $250 deposit you will not get electric. So I search for another company only to find out that electric companies here are monopolized, there is nowhere else to go but them TECO, unlike other states. Not long after paying their $250 deposit my nightmare began. The bills consistently arrived late and when I contacted them, they claimed it was the post office, so I took my complaint up at the post office and they asked if I had problems with other mail besides the electric bills, which the answer when I thought about it was no. So to be safe I decided to send larger amounts in so I can work off the overdue balance since I kept receiving their bills late. About 4 months later late January I receive a bill for $28.00 so I figure I’ll let it roll into Feb. and make a large payment and work off my overdue balance. Well I did not get any other bills yet and then on Valentine’s day Feb 14th I get a disconnect notice I was shocked, but what was more shocking was the disconnect notice which I received in the 14th of Feb was back dated and said my electric is scheduled for disconnect on the 13th of Feb. It totally didn't make sense. They had already closed by the time I got to my mailbox on Valentine’s day So early the next day Friday morning 8am I contacted them . They told me a total of $90 was due and I said no problem I’ll pay larger amount as I always due and work off the balance. Then she tells me it’s too late as a truck is in my area and my electric is already scheduled for disconnect and there will be disconnect/connect fee. I thought at first she was joking. I owe a measly $90 bucks that and I’m willing to pay immediately and there determined to shut my electric off and charge me for it. Now how crazy is that so I explain to the lady that I have a 3 year old special needs child that has bronchitis and as prescribed by her doctor needs to use a nebulizer 3 times a day which is runs by electric as well its extremely chilly and have the heat on and she’s under the covers and not well. Also she’s on a special diet and all her foods need refrigeration that this is detrimental to her health, Again another shocker she states that’s not there problem and that I should of thought about that before I decided to be late with the electric bill. I than asked her how silly she sounds we are talking about one time lateness and for 90 bucks and the fact that the only bill I received in the last month was for $28.00 and that the disconnect notice was backdated which I received on the 14th of Feb in which stated cut off on the 13th that this is absolutely insane and I never in my life have dealt with such an unprofessional company let alone a multimillion or possibly billion dollar electric company. I asked what is the quickest way to pay and she told me Amscot so I hung up on her to Immediately run over and pay the $90 I did not pay additional funds figuring they were going to try to steal it and put it towards a disconnect fee. I get back from paying at around 9:15 am and low & behold a white pick-up is parked in my driveway and he's disconnecting my electric. In my 54 years of life I have never had this happen it was beyond bizarre. Even when I showed him the $90 is paid he said he has to call the company in order to connect and when I told him about my sick special needs daughter in the house, he expressed no interest what so ever. I insisted he reconnect immediately or I’m calling 911 that a child’s life is at stake here that this is a very serious situation this is not cable TV or internet service This is electric a necessity . He actually laughed and challenged me to do it so I did and blocked his truck in with my car so he couldn't leave. It was crazy I couldn't believe this was an electric company I was dealing with all for 90 bucks as well they rushed over early in the morning to cut my electric on a Friday knowing the soonest turn on would be Monday. The cop showed up and after I explained everything showed him documentation of payment and my daughter’s hospital records and IEP disability records even he could not understand it either. He told the guy to immediately turn the electric back on that the bill is now paid, but the guy told me I will be charged a $150 connect fee. I became angry so the cop told me to move my vehicle and let him leave and take it up with the electric company. Well that was a waste I was on the phone with those lying scheming company until 4pm that day, I spoke to over 6 different people and so called account managers who told me over & over they will not remove the $150 fee and when I told them I refuse to ever pay that and plan on filing a complaint with the Fl. District attorney’s office they all but laughed and firmly told me that they do not accept partial payments and if that fee is not paid in full along with any electric balance they will immediately disconnect. She also added to my amazement that my original deposit of $250 is being reassessed and most likely will be raised significantly. How crazy is this company, how can they get away with this. Is there no laws protecting customers from this sadistic company is there any place else to turn to for electric? Would it be worth my efforts to file a complaint with the district attorneys’ office as probably nothing can be proved? If anyone can suggest anything or has experienced a nightmare like mine maybe a class action suit can be filed. Email me blkshad@gmail.com to join in and do something to fight against this company getting away with this kind of possibly illegal activity.

Teco is not even investigating in Hillsborough.

they wont turn power on, overcharges, billing is paid no money due.

julia rood

5202 south zion street

tampa, fl 33611

[protected]

jroo_79@yahoo.com

These electric bills are criminal! My bill has gone up 70%! in the last year. How the hell is this legal?

Signed up for "Due Date Plus" and was still charged a late fee for being 7 days delinquent. And as usual a hold time of hours to NEVER speak to customer service anyway. HORRIBLE company to deal with!

The streetlight on hogans bnd 43210 is burned out The pole address is [protected]

What the hell do you want from me'

My bill went up by 100. Since your rate hike last month. You should be ashamed of yourselves lining your corporate pockets with our hard earned social security.

I've had budget billing for years with no problem until now. Usually they increase my bill about 10 dollars a year. I had to go back to regular payments because they were increasing my bill 57 dollars a month. I still don't understand how my bill increase so much.

i dont see how this was resolved. same thing was done to me. i requested and extension and approved then later they cut my electricity and did not advise me plus they wanted to increase my deposit after 10 years. this people are heartless

Call two times you would not understand or meet with me about this issue I have talked to Badged Teco Officer and completed what he ask and now can not get any help about mater so I have reached out Fed and governor because you would not help you need better communicating skills with your company

Teco will not handle problem