It’s not just the US. I had issues with my supplier a couple of years ago where they randomly changed the supply address of my account then opened additional accounts in my name without informing me or asking for consent, and after I called them to sort their shit they added a random over 2 grand charge to my account and expected me to pay my neighbour’s bill for some reason. I ended up with around 15 calls to them where every time they claimed to be confused how that could have happened and promised an immediate fix which never materialised.
When I was finally able to raise a complaint with the ombudsman the supplier didn’t even bother to respond. For all that blatant fraud they got a slap on the wrist. Their only penalty was that they had to credit a tiny amount to my account (I think it was ~£100) and remove the other fraudulent charges and accounts.
The worst part is I know for a fact they’re pulling that shit with people unable or unwilling to fight back. I dread to think how much of their profit is from just straight-up scamming people.
depending on jurisdiction they can’t just arbitrarily raise rates
Which is to say
Random guesses include Alabama and Arkansas
Companies are allowed to do anything unless jurisdiction says otherwise.
Companies can do anything they don’t get actually punished for.
It’s unfortunate that you have to add “depending on jurisdiction”
Fine. We’ll raise rates for everyone then. Thank you for your feedback!
yes jokes
They’re not allowed to but they definitely can. They’ll probably get away with it unpunished too, the American “justice” system being what it is…
It’s not just the US. I had issues with my supplier a couple of years ago where they randomly changed the supply address of my account then opened additional accounts in my name without informing me or asking for consent, and after I called them to sort their shit they added a random over 2 grand charge to my account and expected me to pay my neighbour’s bill for some reason. I ended up with around 15 calls to them where every time they claimed to be confused how that could have happened and promised an immediate fix which never materialised.
When I was finally able to raise a complaint with the ombudsman the supplier didn’t even bother to respond. For all that blatant fraud they got a slap on the wrist. Their only penalty was that they had to credit a tiny amount to my account (I think it was ~£100) and remove the other fraudulent charges and accounts.
The worst part is I know for a fact they’re pulling that shit with people unable or unwilling to fight back. I dread to think how much of their profit is from just straight-up scamming people.
Holy shit, that’s fucking heinous! 🤬
I’m so sorry you and others have to go through such bullshit!
Oh they can’t, but they can begin charging double or triple for the “gas delivery” portion of the bill, which is seperate from “gas supply.”
You know. Because maintenance. Of pipes laid in the ground 40 years ago.