In the mail today I received a bill from Constellation Energy. The bill has a different name on it, not mine nor anyone I know, but has my address. At first I thought it was just delivered to the wrong address. ?Looked close and it is my address. I did not change providers, nor have I received any notification that a change was initiated.

Because the address is mine, I opened it. The meter number is mine. Looked closer at the bill that just came in from the provider I actually have/had a contract with. It says final bill and includes a $140 early termination fee.

Called Constellation. The rep says, oh don't worry, this happens ALL THE TIME. People enter the wrong address when they sign up. They will investigate. and try to put me back with my actual provider, they might pay any fees, but I will somehow be potentially be responsible for some fees to them. It should only take 30 days and I should not lose power?!?!?!?

WTH!!!!

How the heck does this happen? I thought I have always received some sort of card in the mail when I have changed providers in the past? Am I remembering wrong? I know Texas' power industry is f'd up, but this is insane. They couldn't answer what my rate would be in the 30 days they need to investigate, whom I would pay, whether the power might just be turned off, etc. I got a bit upset at the don't worry attitude and loose vague explanations and threatened that if my power goes off I will considering contact am attorney.

At that point the person said, well I have to escalate you immediately since you mentioned a lawyer?. Sure, yes, please escalate me right away. Then she came back and said no one was available, I would be getting a call in an unknown period of time.

I know we have some more knowledgeable industry people on Texags. Any advice on how I need to handle this to resolve it fairly for me for the extra fees, to make sure I get back to my original provider, make sure I don't have my power turned off in the interim?

Was just researching it and found that term.


Seems like it implies they tricked someone into changing. The different name on the bill lends a little credibility to it being a mistake, but I'm not sure how someone could be that stupid. And the Constellation cs person seemed a bit sleezy and kept changing what they were saying.

Will call my old provider and file complaints wherever I can tomorrow. I definitely did not receive notice as required.

What a PIA.

howdyags12! said:

---

---

Never got a confirmation. Maybe listing the mail.

If they seriously wanted to make the process not have this problem, they would make that an action required step.

I would consider reaching back out to Constellation and asking to see the signed residential agreement and/or the recording of the person who signed your account/home with them. The PUC is who takes care of these issues and they have a lot of power over the retail electricity providers!