My electric company

[txteach]

We moved from our apartment back to our house last month and we still owed the last month on our electric bill. I get the bill 3 weeks ago and pay it promptly (It was $197.00). Well today I get a call from a collection company insisting on payment of this "debt". I get irrate on the phone because I know the check cleared two weeks ago, I'm freakin anal about my checking account. After both of us yelling I hang up. What is wrong with these people? They need to do their damn homework before they call me and hassle me. I'm also going to change my electric company because this is not the first time Direct Energy has needlessly hassled me. Anyone else ever have this crap happen to them?

[Adam West]

Send them proof of your cancelled check along with the back showing it was cashed.

Many of the clerks will not take the time to investigate your account and straighten things out and next thing you know, they'll report you as delinquent to the credit agencies.

A complete pain in the rear. Chances are they applied your payment against the wrong account and can't find it nor will they do much leg work to try to find it.

[txteach]

I just sent them a copy via email of the cancelled check. Hopefully they figure out what they are doing.

[Vortigern99]

I had a similar incident with Austin Electric a couple of months ago. I talked to numerous uncaring reps and managers who insisted our bill was past due, until I finally found a very nice lady who did a little research and discovered the company's error. Sometimes all it takes is the right employee who's willing to actually do their job! I hope this gets settled for you real soon, teach.

[Bill]

I hate the way accounts are treated these days... "We screwed up but the burden is on you to set us straight."
That being said the only way to clear things up to is try and deal calmly with someone on the phone, once you find someone willing to cooperate. I feel for you.

[garagesale]

Yeah, we get harrassed and threatened over $197 and Bernie "Made Off" with 50 billion 'cause the SEC wouldn't do their job.

JamesD

[Bill]

A friend on another board mentioned that a bank representative from a call center in India was threatening that a late payment to his credit card would severely damage his credit rating.
It's like one of those cartoon drawings were you try and find all the things wrong.

[toys2cool]

dumb *****!

[ctc]

Hmmmm....

The big problem with this sort of thing is that the collections guys are usually a whole different company from the people that want your money. So they don't know what's going on with your account. Found that out the hard way.

Don C.