Consumers Energy

I am disabled and I have worked. I live with my father whom has worked all his teen to adult life and he is now retired with cancer and a pacemaker. We moved to Kalamazoo, MI into an apartment. I requested to be on a budget plan, which was $80 a month for a year. I paid this without failure. At the end of the year, Consumer's Energy sent me a bill for $697.10. I took this bill to several professional people who help disabled people with these matters who said, there's no way an apartment could've over-used that much electric.

This one professional lady, who helps disabled and retired people, called Consumers for me and asked the person from Consumers Energy to check my meter while explaining that she personally had someone else hooked into her apartment's energy and she was getting their bill. The person from Consumers Energy again refused to have my meter checked. I then myself went home and called Consumers Energy and requested a meter check and they refused and said, "A meter check was up to my land lord!" I then went and asked my land lord. My land lord said they don't usually have to do that, Consumers does. But they would, in my behalf, because my father and I are very good renters. My land lord said my meter wasn't using that much energy. I also requested Consumers Energy to have all the bills I had paid to Consumers printed out and sent to me. And again Consumers Energy refused to do so.

Now, I am very upset and not sure how I am going to pay this outrageous bill. So I called Consumers again and reached a nicer guy out of Grand Rapids Consumers and he said he would send a person to check my meter, but it wouldn't be for another month on the 23rd! He also said he would send me a print out of my bills. Meanwhile, I still have to worry about paying this $697.10 bill before the first or be shut off! After paying $80 a month and that alone is around $900.00 for the year I paid, and I ask you, how could I have over-used that much and owe this $697.10!?

I moved in to my house on November 2011. When I got my first bill, there was an amount transferred from an account that was set up in my name in 2010. I made a claim with the fraud department and the next day I was turned down - immediately turned down. I then called back and complained; she told me to make a police report and fax it to her, which I did. I called her a week later because I had not heard from her (in the mean time, I was to pay my current charges until this is resolved and I did). Shelly asked me if I knew this name from the address that the bill transfer was from and I found out it was my brother, which I did not give permission and have not been in contact with due to a falling out. I told her that I didn't care if it was my mother, I'm pressing charges. The detective issued a warrant, but was denied because of the lack of evidence. The detective told Shelly this and my gas was shut off. I don't think I should be responsible for this bill since I have complied with all they have asked of me. It's not my fault that the warrant was denied, but it shows that I was prepared to press charges.

Consumers Energy is a joke! They make it completely impossible for someone to transfer service into their name if there is any existing bill at the residence. No matter who you are, Consumers will demand that you have to pay the past due bill even though the bill is not yours! We have dealt with this company numerous times with absolutely no solution. We have been without power for over a month! Consumers Energy still does nothing to restore services! My fiance was asked to submit a copy of a lease agreement and a copy of his ID. All of this information was required to be faxed and notarized. All information were submitted to Consumers Energy as they asked and the items were all received by Consumers Energy.

After 2 days, we still had not received any calls from Consumers Energy regarding the transfer of service to his name. My fiance called Consumers and asked if they in fact received the information and was told by Carol that the information that he faxed was in fact received, but was not good enough! This Carol then stated to my fiance that he needed to fax some additional information. The information she requested this time around was any 3 pieces of mail indicating that he was not living in the house in 2011. My fiance asked this Carol several times if the mail had to be anything specific and she responded with "No sir, it can be any 3 pieces of mail. They do need be faxed though". Another trip to the fax store and another $8.00 was spent to fax 7 pieces of mail to this Carol once again at Consumers Energy. We decided to send 4 extra pieces of mail showing proof that he was not living in the house during that time frame.

A couple of days went by and of course, no call from Consumers Energy! My fiance called once again and was for the second time told the mail that was faxed was not good enough! They would only be able to use one piece of mail because they needed 3 more additional pieces of mail indicating that he was not living in the house from June 2011-March 2012! By this time, my fiance became very irritated with Consumers and called Consumer Services and filed a complaint with them. At that time, the case was handed to yet another Carol. After 3 days of going back and forth over the phone with Consumers Services, they asked my fiance to go ahead and fax the next 3 items of mail that Consumers Energy requested. My fiance was completely mad by this point and stated "Why in the hell should I have to fax more paperwork to them? I have done all they have asked and still have no ** power!"

Carol from Consumer Services reassured my fiance that if he in fact faxed Consumers Energy the additional 3 pieces of mail showing that he was not living in the house during the time frame stated above, that Consumers Energy would have to go ahead and transfer the service into his name. After some hesitation, we went ahead and paid yet another $4.00 to fax 4 additional pieces of mail showing that he was not living in the house between June 2011-March 2012! Of course, 3 more days went by and no phone call still from either place! My fiance called Consumers Energy and asked this Carol once again if she received the faxes. She stated that in fact she had, but she would not be able to turn the power on in his name because the address that was listed on the 4 pieces of mail that he faxed did not have Consumers Energy Services during the time frame listed and because of this, he would not be able to have energy services in his name.

Are you kidding me? What a joke! Basically, what Consumers Energy is saying is that because the address where he currently lives did not have Consumers Energy services and they were not making big bucks on the property every month for energy services, he was not allowed to have services at his current address in his name! How is this okay? Why are they allowed to treat people like this? My fiance works his rear end off and has never had an account with Consumers Energy! They will not help us whatsoever! We are still without power well over a month later! Consumers Energy has conveniently sent me a final bill as they call it for well over $3000. What a crock! They told my fiance that regardless of where he lives or where he moves, if there is an outstanding balance owed at that residence, he will be responsible for paying it regardless of whose bill it is!

Bottom line here, Consumers Energy is a ripoff company and the place that is supposedly designed to help people with cases like this, Consumer services are just as wrong doing! It would sure be nice to have power again. It is quite disgusting that a hardworking, bill-paying citizen cannot get services transferred into his name, yet I guarantee if he had some type of state assistance, Consumers Energy would jump to help!

Consumers Energy is simply the worst utility company in Michigan. They have crappy customer service and the most pathetic phone system you will ever encounter. Want to pay your bill online or on the phone? Forget about it. They'll bounce you around until you finally hang up in frustration.

Case in Point: I came home tonight and hit the thermostat on the boiler (because it was about 50 degrees in the house) and nothing happened. Same for our gas stove. Then we tried to take a shower and the water was cold. No notification, no note left at the house, no phone call, no e-mail. They just decided to come out and shut off the gas. I still don't know why since we were up-to-date with our payments as far as we knew. Of course, they only keep customer service hours until 8 pm. Screw you if your gas has been shut off after-hours. Guess everyone who works there goes home to a nice, warm house after eight.

Try to pay your bill on the phone. You will be treated to a mind-boggling phone tree that ends up sending you off to some third party call center that can't access anything about your account or circumstances. If you try to talk to a Consumers rep about paying your bill, they'll forward you to the same crappy call center. Don't even try to do it online... you can't.

I've never encountered a business that made it so ** hard for someone to pay a bill. Unbelievable. It's almost like they want to come out with that big wrench and crank off your gas just so they can charge you again to hook it up. Someone should initiate an investigation into Consumers Energy. I can't even imagine what people who don't have money (I actually have some) have to deal with from these people. I'm sleeping in a 40 degree house tonight. But hey, at least I have electricity. We'll get by until we figure this out. But not everyone has that luxury.

While i was at work, Consumers came out and shut the gas off. I was home by 3:00 pm and called. They said that a service tech would be out shortly and to give him a $24.00 check and that he would turn the gas on. it is now almost 11:30 pm, and still, I'm waiting. I guess they expect you to stay up all night! This is the worst customer service! Shame on them.

I applied for Dollar Energy and yesterday the girl called me and asked me all the questions. Then, she said you make enough money to pay your bills. We make about $3,700 a month but there are 7 of us. I'm on social security and my son is on disability, he has kidney failure now. My daughter works as a temp for right now at Liberty Mutual but she has school loans to pay. I used the calculator and it said we are 127 percent poverty level. If I didn't have to pick my granddaughter up from school, I would have asked to speak to a supervisor. She really made me mad, I just didn't like the way she said you can pay your own bills.

I could never log in and had to change password every time. I have called every month since November and they would have me change password. This week and last month, I spent a horrible amount of time waiting for a breathing human. After explaining that, I used their email and from March 6 until today, there's no logical response. I had called on the 21st and was told that I would receive a phone call on the 22nd. Then I got a bogus call from no one today, so I called again and went through their myriad of button pushing and many minutes of waiting. They said that they were updating their system and emails really weren't working. Their solution was that I have a problem with either the browser or my computer. I'm done. I don't care about the environment and I am going back to a paper bill.

My daughter had moved into an apartment in August of 2011, with a couple of friends. She had put the electric in her name as neither one of the other girls could not and did not say why. She paid the bill every month and paid the final bill in Feb of 2012, when the lease was up, and moved out. When she received the last bill, there was an additional amount of $2,650 add on. She had contacted them, asking about this and they said that it was a previous bill of one of her roommates from 3 years ago and from a different town. When she asked Consumers about it, they said that the collection agency that had the account took it out of the other girls' name and added it to her account. She was told that there was nothing they can do as her account is no longer active since they moved. She is on disability and is currently in the hospital after a transplant. Why don't Consumers go after the person who acquired the bill since they are working? They are the rudest people to deal with, that is all I have to say and we are contacting an attorney in regards to this.

I tried paying my bill last Friday but was told that your services were done and the lady I spoke with told me to call back on Monday. Today is Monday, March 18, 2012 and I called back. I was told that calls were only being answered for emergency situations. I tried the automotive service but I didn't know my account number. Thankfully, a lady told me and she redirected me back the the automotive service only to be told that my information was entered and it was entered wrong and disconnected me. I entered my information correctly, I'm not an idiot. So, I called in again to speak to someone and a guy answered the phone (from Michigan) and when I told him my frustrations, he said his computer froze and to wait a minute and he would get back at me. I waited 20 minutes on the phone (minutes spent on my phone are counted towards my bill and I just wasted over an hour of my time getting nowhere) and then got disconnected.

I am done dealing with your company and its impenitence in trying to provide good customer service. Your company's customer service is a joke and the fact that anyone gives a ** is thrown straight out the window. If you want your money, feel free to call me at the listed number above and I will be gladly to pay it, but that is only if I get the respect I deserve as a human being, with means without getting disconnected, and talked down too.

I have an outstanding Consumers bill in my name and I never put Consumers in my name. I want to know how I can take care of this because I'm trying to get my own place and they won't let me because of the outstanding Consumers bill.

My consumer's energy bill is being out on my ex-husband's bill and I am very mad because he never lived there last year with me.

Last Fall, we were getting acclimated to a home that we had just restored. There is an outside door from the garage to the basement. Everyone that came in through the basement noticed the smell of gas and we started to get headaches. We called Consumers and the gas technician came out. He ran his meter and stated that the needle "moved a little" but nothing significant. He left and the gas smelled increased gradually.

A few weeks later, we had a change over from our cook stove from electric to gas. We had 24/7 heating and cooling come for the gas connection. Rob (bless you Rob) went to the basement to check on the lines and immediately smelled the gas as he went down the steps. He walked right to it. The shut off connection to our gas dryer was loose and bobbling up and down like a bobble head doll spewing gas fumes. I had heard the spewing from it all along, but thought it must be our boiler heat, since it was all new to us.

The gas was escaping rapidly. Rob went to work and secured the line, replacing the connection. He was upset, because as loyal customers that he cares about, he realized how close we came to being blown up. If we had not had the ventilation of the outside door to the garage, the gas may have pocketed much sooner. Anytime the most minute gas smell is detected, it should be investigated, the customer should be made safe and steps be taken to find the problem and get it fixed.

The gas line was not one of Consumers, but that service man should be held responsible and given better training in how to make sure the customer and the neighborhood is safe and that the customer gets it fixed. If anything, shut down the gas connection till it is fixed. This situation does tell about Consumers safety procedures.

After a recent power outage, Consumers Energy sent a crew out to trim trees away from the lines after power was restored. I watched the two-man crew sit in their truck for approximately two hours wasting company time and wages when I had to leave. Upon my return, they had chopped a spruce tree, on their right of way, that had grown up between the lines, nearly in half at the corner of my drive way. They left pieces of the trunk in my yard at the base of the tree. Had I been home, I would have requested they take the entire tree down. This tree will now certainly die. Since it is on their right of way I feel it is only right that they complete the removal and they clean up. I am a 70-year-old on a limited income unable to do that work. Trying to call this in is a joke.

I have recently started services with Consumers Energy. I never used this company for gas before November 2011. I received and paid my first bills. It has only been 3 months. I received a new bill a week ago for well over $3000. Consumers transferred the balance from a family member's bill to my account. When they started service at the home I purchased, they asked for my SSN. I am sure they asked her for hers as well. I do not understand how I can be responsible for services in a home that (a) is not mine, (b) I didn't request service at, and (c) the person still lives there. I had my mail forwarded to her address when my family was in house buying limbo. As soon as we closed, we forwarded our mail to our home. Even if I did live there during the time the bill was racked up, how does that make me responsible for another adult's poor budgeting.

Maybe I wouldn't be so irritated if Consumers cared to resolve the concern instead of justifying it by saying, "If you stayed there even a week, you are responsible for the energy usage just as the person whose name the account is in." I do not know how to proceed. This is the most upsetting and draining event I have had to deal with in my adult life. Why even bother to take someone's SSN if you are just going to charge any adult that happens to spend the night at someone's house, as if I said "Hey, before I transfer my mail, I just need to know if you are paying your gas bill." Sounds ridiculous? Yeah, it does to me, too.

Our gas was disconnected today around 11AM. We just received the bill in the mail today and it was not a shutoff notice. This bill said our balance was due on March 13th. They came and shut off our gas with no prior notification, saying we owe them roughly $230 past due. We have a three week old newborn in the house, who just spent a week in the NICU after he was born. I called and paid the bill 5 hours ago and we still have no heat. They were supposed to put us in as a priority due to our newborn being in the house. My wife was struck by someone who ran a red light two days before the baby was born so we only have one vehicle right now and I am at work, so my wife has no way to take the kids elsewhere until the heat is turned back on. Just recently, an elderly man in the area passed away because Consumers shut off his heat off. I want my family to be safe and think this is ridiculous, especially with two young children in the house, one being less than a month old.

I pay for electric at ** Howard City, MI, 49204. The electric is in my name. My son has his mailing address there. They are trying to apply a bill he owned at ** Cedar Springs, MI, 49319, to my bill. It is illegal to bill me for a bill my son owes. I'm not the cosigner to his bill at ** Cedar Springs, MI 49319. Without going to court, they can't transfer his bill to me. That is what courts are for. Just because they are a big business, does not give them the right to bill me for someone else's bill. I pay my electric bills. If they want their money, take him to court. Your act Rule 24(2) does not apply to my bill. Tell LJ Ross Associates to go after Chris **.

We are helping young lady that has 3 kids that lives at that address. We ourselves have limited funds. But the way the economy, we are still helping. She has tried to get work with no success. Maybe, if the big companies wouldn't be so greedy, they should help people. My son wants to set up payments but they want $400 plus in four payments. Right like that is going to happen making $400 dollars a week at those great paying jobs. Having to pay $700 rent + food + utilities, reduce the amount owed based on income so people can pay up their bills. My wife works for the Michigan school system. They have to keep giving up more of their money so the kids can still get a quality education. I don't see their workers giving up anything so the people that are having problems paying can afford to pay.

My gas was cutoff over an $80 past due balance. I short paid January's bill, but I never go 2 months behind. It was shut off on the coldest day of the year. My wife found the notice on the door, and I called and paid the bill. I was assured they would be out in 24 hours. 24 hours later and still nothing happened. I have called every hour asking for a status only to be told 24 hours is their window. I've shipped the family to other family members to keep warm while I wait. They have spent more money in paying their workers to shut it off vs. what I paid. I wish I had other options.

Both my husband and myself have tried to resolve this problem for 3 months now. I was told if we had any amount due on our budget plan that the money we pay towards our laundry Care Gold would go towards the amount due on budget plan. In the last 6 years that we have had the laundry care plan, I have never heard this. If this is so, how many people out there who thinks they have the laundry care, better check their account. We were also told that we have a credit so how can we owe anything?

Here is what you can do after calling DTE, and not getting your issue resolved. It works as I have used it a few times. Best Wishes to all. The MPSCs Customer Intake Center is available to assist with your inquiry or informal complaints, Mondays through Fridays, 8:30 AM. through 4:30 PM, excluding state holidays, by calling 1-800-292-9555 (from within Michigan), or ** (from outside of Michigan). We encouraged you first to contact your utility with your question, before calling us. When you reach us, a Call Intake Assistant will take information on your inquiry or complaint, and answer those questions he/she can, or direct you to the appropriate person for other issues.

At times, call volumes are very high, and Intake assistants are busy with other customers. In this situation, you will be put in a queue, and your call will be taken by the next available person. If the queue is full, you will get a busy signal. Please call again. You can also contact us by submitting your inquiry, or complaint online by clicking on one of the three addresses above, or by writing to us at the following address:

Lansing MI 48909

You have been overcharging me for 15 years, due to a faulty meter, that was admitted by your worker, at a 3% overcharge per month for 180 months. The technician even knew the man's name, who tampered with the meter, and that is how we found out. I have filed a complaint with the Department of Energy to receive a letter from your employee, Raquel, "I have received an inquiry regarding your electric usage. Consumers Energy tested your meter servicing your home on December 14, 2011, and the test results show on the enclosed certification are 103.93 accurate. If you have further questions please call me in our Lansing office. At this time, I have closed your inquiry".

The paperwork states it is overcharging 1.94% based on your standards, on this document. This is not a resolution of any kind, but a blatant avoidance of the problem. I have been left with no option, due to your lack of cooperation, but to get help from the news media, and an attorney, and file suit. We have tried and tried to have a real mediation about this. We've had you out here many times over the years, regarding the meter. It clearly shows a difference of over 1000 kwh overcharge, based on same month last year. Now, you are shutting off my electricity, our heat source, and we have children. You call this an ethical company? Allowing a family to use your faulty equipment for 15 years and overcharging, you are not willing to come to an agreement?

I have no option but to report this to the government and the media and an attorney. I expect a credit of 1.94% minimum for 180 months. Someone's bill cannot go from $200 to $250, up to $700 in one month. I expect to to hear from someone who has authority to work with us, and not someone who does not, but only answers the phone. Consider these two complaints, the other against Raquel for her unethical disregard for the first complaint filed with the government.

My problem is that for weeks now, we have listened to reports that the cost of natural gas has plummeted in the last year. It is 40% lower than this time last year (this being Jan.2011-Jan.2012). So I examined my bill for this time last year and what I saw is that the exact amount of gas (MCF) used, both were actual readings, but my bill for gas was actually higher this year. I have emailed Consumers and of course, I get no response. After reading this site, I probably should not expect one.

I am amazed at how many problems and complaints are on this site but really will anything ever be done? These big companies get away with all this stuff and we have to bend over and take it up the keester. Well, just to satisfy my anger and dissatisfaction, I will find as many sites to complain about Consumers Energy as I can. Maybe sooner or later someone will listen.

My husband and I separated in August to where I live at my mom's; he lives here in Caro, Michigan. Consumers Energy is trying to put my gas bill on his gas bill. How can they do this when the bill is in my name? Sorry, I had the bill; he didn't. I live in Cass City; he lives in Caro. The bill is my responsibility to pay not his.

I'm currently on hold with Consumer's Energy right now. They have bounced me back & forth between representatives for the past hour and a half. Their website is so far beyond difficult to use it is ridiculous. I'm looking for assistance from someone so I can pay a bill on time but when a representative answers the phone, they can hear the frustration in my voice and transfer me to someone else.

Aside from having a useless website and the worst customer service I've ever experienced, they require you to stay home all day when they need to alter your service. They give you a 12 hour window when they come to visit. Thanks for nothing, Consumers. I wish there was someone else to switch my gas over to. This company is a complete joke.

I moved to MI from Tenn. in 09. I stayed with a friend for a few weeks. Well, I just got a letter saying I owe $850 for unpaid bills with Consumers even though I had no bill in my name. So now, they are saying they are going to transfer the debt to my Consumer bill I have now, the reason being they said I took a shower there and opened the fridge. Wow, what a crock. I will live in the dark before I pay that bill. This sounds like another reason to run from this state like so many have.

Just received my bill for this month. Noticing a gradual increase in all billings (not just yours). Found a charge that I find offensive! Not only are we paying for the energy we use, but we are billed 6.00 for system access

Fees, not counting the wattage fees, come to $35.19. Now add in "other Surcharges" of 4.23. This adds insult to injury.

Why should we, who pay our bill faithfully, pay for the lameness of others who don't? It's not right to squeeze the hard-working citizens for the actions of those who don't pay their bills. It's hard enough to do the right thing. You want us and others like us to protest and not pay ours as well?

Back in November 2011, I received an offer to sign up with MXenergy for my household natural gas supply. They quoted me a rate of $5.797 per mcf, while Consumers Energy was charging $6.05 per mcf. Since then, Consumers Energy has raised my rate to $6.25 per mcf. I sent them an email authorizing the switch, as MXenergy said that they had not gotten any response from Consumers Energy, who told me that they would look into it. Both are saying that they are waiting for the other.

In March of 2011, while living at my home at the time on Bradley Ave. in Flint, MI, I received a monthly bill from Consumers Energy. Instead of our normal monthly bill (which we had been paying with no problems at the time), they stated that I now owed them over $1000 as a result of a previous charge accumulated from an address at Georgetown Parkway, Fenton, MI. I have never lived at Georgetown Parkway, but my girlfriend lived there and I realized that they are trying to charge me for the money she owes them from before we met, because we now live together.

I called the number provided to dispute the claim, and spoke to someone named Dana **. She said that I must provide proof that I did not live there, like my girlfriend's lease from Georgetown or a lease with my name on it from 2008 that proves that I did not live there. Since I lived with my parents at the time and therefore had no lease agreement, I asked her if a bank statement from 2008, with my mailing address listed, would suffice. She said it would. The next day I faxed my bank statement to Dana at Consumers Energy, Fax #: **.

I did not hear back from Dana for several months. Finally, I had my girlfriend call Consumers. She spoke to someone named Dawn, and Dawn told us that our account was in the process of being fixed to remove the charge from Georgetown. Also, she said that our account would be put on hold until it is fixed. We were reluctant to make any payments to our now growing electric bill for fear that they would only apply those payments to the Georgetown balance. Dawn assured us that the matter would be taken care of soon.

Then, in October, someone from Consumers came to shut off our power at our current home in Fenton, MI. I was at school but Brittnay was home at the time. She explained to him that our account should be on hold because of our problems with the Georgetown bill. He said he knew nothing about it, and shut off our power before Brittnay could talk to anyone at Consumers. She finally got a hold of Dawn, who apologized for the misunderstanding and had our power turned back on. She assured us again that this was being taken care of.

Finally, on January 5th, 2012, we received a shutoff notice for 1/9/2012 from Consumers in the amount of about $3000. Any time we attempt to call Dawn's extension, it says that she is unavailable and to call back later (no voice mail). I guess she is on indefinite sick leave. When we spoke to a Consumers representative, they said there is no information about the disputed charges on our account. After speaking to several different people, they said that we must submit a dispute document again to be sent to their legal department and considered. When we asked them about the charges again, they said that a 3rd party collections agency had proven that I lived at Georgetown in 2008. This is simply untrue.

At this point, I am beyond frustrated with Consumers Energy and I don't know what else to do. Any time we attempt to speak to someone, they either don't return our calls or don't know what is going on. I never lived at Georgetown Parkway; I didn't even know her at the time. The only evidence I have at this time is the original bank statement I sent Consumers in May. The amount of money my girlfriend owed them is somewhere around $1800, so my current bill should actually be about $1200. I have no problem paying this; I just want it sorted out. At this point I am beginning to feel the effects of stress and worry about possibly having my electric shut off in the middle of the winter because they are making it impossible for me to pay my electric bill.

So I moved into my new apartment at the beginning of the month. I admit that they did tell me to send in a copy of my driver's license when I had the service turned on. I came home two nights ago to a very cold house. I couldn't figure out what was going on. The only bill I have ever received from Consumers, so far, has been paid in full, early.

My maintenance guy found a lock on my meter, my gas had been turned off! I never received any notice, letter, call or anything indicating there was a problem with my account. I immediately called Consumers to figure out why, I mean this must be a mistake, right? Nope, because I didn't send in a copy of my license they turned my gas off. I begged them turn it on and I would send in the requested info as soon as I went to work that next morning, my answer was a responding no.

The very rude customer service rep then told me, it will be at least 5-10 business days before my gas will be restored. She also informed me that they are not obligated to send notice of shut off because they asked for this information when I turned on services. Are you kidding me? At that time they also indicated they required a copy of Social Security Card and Notarized lease agreement. Is this any of their business? However, I have a two year old and a four year old, willing to do anything pretty much to get some heat in my house. So I faxed in everything the next morning at 7-7:30am. They called me 5 hours later to tell me it was blurry and I had to re-fax. I did this.

I called again twice, only to find out my file will be looked at in the order it was received, "There are 95 other people ahead of you, and you're just going to have to wait". I pleaded with them to just have some one go turn on my gas, I need heat for the kids, it's 30 degrees out. Nope, wait your turn. It's now day 3 with no heat. I haven't heard from anyone, I have called twice again today, only to be told that there are now 3 people in front of me. Not one person has told me why this is happening, I have no idea what is going on, only that I have paid my bill and I don't have gas. Honestly the worst experience I have ever had as a consumer.

I had some help paying my consumers bill. The agency didn't pay the whole balance and I knew that. I called and got the amount I still owed. About two days later, I get another shut off notice! I called customer service and they were so rude. I even had the supervisor call me back and she was even worse. I was told that I didn't qualify for the shut off program because I defaulted. This is how I defaulted, I thought the customer service rep said I needed to pay $285 and that's what I paid. Well, it turns out I was suppose to pay $295. Yep, $10 difference and they are going to shut off my power.

Upon paying my consumers energy bill, I noticed the account number was different and the billing address was my old address in which utilities were never in my name. So, I called and informed a representative that I no longer live at that address. It appears that the service had just been turned on. And I am getting the bill and I want services turned off. She informed me that I did call and have services reinstated. I again informed her no, I didn't and I want them turned off. She then told me it would be $150.00 fee for reconnection at that address if I had the service turned off. I again told her that I don't care about a fee and I want it turned off. She then told me that the pipes could freeze and break in this weather.

I again told her that I don't care. The house was sold in April of 2011. And I asked why the bill is from Nov. 2011 in my name. She said that I had services turned back on in my name. I had to argue this again that I didn't have services turned on in my name and I want them disconnected. She then told me that I had service turned on in 2004, in which I didn't even own the home. But since I had motor vehicles registered to me there at the time, I was liable. I have never heard of such a thing. I asked for a supervisor and was given Mrs. Craig. Now she hasn't called me back all week. I have been calling her twice a day. Can they charge me for a bill just because I had my car registered to that address?

What horrible customer service! Very rude call center reps. I have been trying to dispute an unauthorized charge to my bill regarding a previous tenant at my home. They just added someone's over due bill to mine without even a notice or call! If they expect me to pay for someone else's mistake then they are crazy. I have tried talking to them. They said they were going to put a "hold" on my account while they resolve it. All the while, I am getting shut off notices and late fees for an overdue balance I had nothing to do with. This should not belegal, and still I can't get help! I want to start a movement to put these b***s in their place! Please help me resolve this unfair and illegal treatment! Find and like my page on Facebook. Together we can do something about this!

Last December 2010, I called in to see if I could be put on a plan, so it would help me pay a little easier. They thought that the budget plan would be good for me, and I accepted it. The plan consisted of paying $121.00 for a year. They told me after a year, they would reevaluate it, but I would be on the plan for 2 years. That was great. After a month, I didn't receive a bill, and for many months after that, did not either. I called every month to make sure sure all I had to pay was $121.00. They said yes, so I went to the local Consumers and paid for every month I used their service.

I got a couple shut off notices, and each time I would call in, and they would say that their systems were messed up, and send in the $121.00. So that's what I did. August came, and I got another shut off notice, so of course, I called in, and this time, every one was being rude to me. They told me their computers were finally working right on the budget plan, and I now owe this much money. It was $1,800.00. I was like, holy **! There is no way, because people there don't know how to do their jobs right.

It is not my fault your computers weren't running properly, or the company doesn't know how to add. I was supposed to have this for a year before they did my re-determination, and in 7 months after having it, I got this shut off notice! This is unfair! I have 4 children living at home now. My bill is $2,500. How and why? They should be ashamed of themselves, and I will be doing something to resolve this. I have to figure out how to come up with this kind of money, so my kids don't freeze in the cold. I will go to the local news, and get a lawyer.

I have been a consumers energy customer for many years. I am quite appalled with the company and representatives with consumers energy. I had been away from my house for 5 days comforting my sister who lost her husband on thanksgiving day, with that being said I received no call that my service is near interruption. I then for this first time, I tried making payments over the phone. I can assure I got disconnected 6 times till my payment was confirmed. I would please ask if the automated service would be reviewed to make it easier, especially for older individuals. I paid the account in full Tuesday 9:30am waiting for a rep. to give conf#. It is Wed 11:25pm and no heat. I've called several times to inquire and keep getting different information.

I asked for a supervisor, 1 rep hung up on me! After talking to more than one person, the supervisor did talk to me. Let me just say how unprofessional she was working out of Michigan call center. She had no knowledge! She could not give me any information but that It will be a 24 hour window period. I called again a few minutes ago and talked to Loreeta, someone who had actually had took the time to listen and follow through with getting a hold of a dispatch even though I still will have to wait till tomorrow. If the supervisor cared or tried resolving the issue, maybe I would have my service turned on. I am quite upset that I am still waiting when I know that this could of been resolved had I had the right person on the phone instead of getting the run around.

Me and a boyfriend were both leasing an apartment. The electricity was solely in his name, so when we split up, and I left the apartment, I could not stop service. I then received service at a new address. Consumers Energy had tried to add his bill to mine at the new address, until I spoke with a supervisor, and she had his bill removed. 1 1/2 years later, I again, moved to a new address with the boyfriend I had shared a lease with.

I received service solely in my name for 6 months, and all of the sudden they again, put his bill on mine. Because of the amount of this bill, I was unable to even pay any offered arrangement on the bill, and my service got disconnected, when I have children who are minors. We spent three days without power, before I could afford to get reconnected, and it was really cold.

I own several condos in a project called Union Square. I have three electrical bills in my name at Union Square. Another owner, suite 131 did not pay their electrical bill so Consumers tacked the other condo owners balance on to my bill. To figure out what was going on I had to call Consumers. I was transferred 3 times and spent a half hour on the phone. The end result was that I had to prove to Consumers that I did not own the subject condo, suite 131, whose balance was added to my bill. I talked with two other property managers and they claimed that this happens all the time to them.

Consumers Energy sent me a bogus final bill. I did not move. I paid $95 on October 29, 2011 to get the service back on in my name. I changed jobs and my income was fluctuating. I did not use the gas during the summer months when my income changed. Now they want me to pay in excess of $900 to have it restored. It is cold and I am using electric heaters. Can you help me?

I transferred a balance to my account even though my name was never on an account for more than twenty years. They are holding me responsible for an account that didn't have my name on it. I received a shut-off for transferred balance.

We received a shut off notice on 10/26/2011. Their policy clearly states, "Before we shut off service, we send a shut-off notice 10 days in advance." The notice indicates the earliest date that service may be shut off and how to avoid it. "Service shut off date is 11/01/2011." By my calculations, that is not 10 days.

The kicker was that the bill was due on 10/14/2011 and I was going to pay the $200 on 10/28/2011. It wasn't even a month over and not even 14 days when they sent that out. I contacted Consumers and was told that they automatically generate shut off notices when they are 6 days past due. Really? That's a first for us! I'm not talking even thousands or hundreds; the bill was $200 and they were not giving me 10 days' notice.

I was paying some bills. I opened my bill from Consumers Energy and saw an amount of $582. My mouth hit the floor. First, let me say that I live in a town home that is under a 1,000 square feet. My bill for the warmer months is around $40 to $50. We hadn't even turned our furnace on yet. I thought immediately that this was a mistake.

I called Consumers Energy and was told that there was a large dog in the yard and they could not read my meter for 6 months and this was make-up pay. Well, I laughed because I do not own a large dog nor do any of my neighbors, but that is what the meter reader put down and now it's set in stone! By the way, the representative was very condescending so I let her have it. I was steaming.

The next day, I had my husband call because I was too upset and he was told to go outside and read the meter, to which he did. Then he was told that my meter isn't working and they haven't been able to read the meter for 12 months. He then told her that yesterday we were told there was a large dog, etc Her reply was, "Oh, yes and that too." She said we can put you on a 12-month payment plan. My husband had her on speaker so I heard this and went off on her again. I told her that which is it, a mythical large dog in the yard or my meter doesn't work. Pick one and stick with it.

Now earlier this year, I received a notice in the mail that my meter was not working and I needed to have it replaced so they came out and replaced it. I never heard anything about the meter since. Now a large mythical dog is blocking a meter that hasn't worked in 12 months, even though I have been paying monthly and they told me I haven't paid in 6 months. I decided to call back with a plan on the next day. I was transferred to three different departments after explaining every time why I was calling and being told I will have to transfer you to a different department. Finally, I get to speak with someone to resolve this matter. I was told Consumers Energy is only required to check our meters once a year! So they don't have to check it if they don't want to! Every month is an estimation based on that one reading, which by the way people is taken in the winter months when your gas is at its peak from using your furnace.

I said then why are other people getting a monthly reading? She backtracked and said, "Well, we will read your meter monthly if there are no animals in the yard." (Mythical dog theory again.) I asked her this, "Lady, I know you pay your gas bill and if you had opened a bill of $582 and it has never been this much since you have owned your home and you were being told these random excuses that are flying out of your mouth right now, you cannot tell me you would not be upset." She had not one thing to say. I said put me on your payment plan and you can speak to my lawyer because you are robbing people and I hung up.

The very next day I get a blue card from Consumers Energy with the meter read dates, one for every month, and a note at the bottom stating that they are only required to check your meter once a year. That all dates are approximate and the reader could come a couple days earlier or not at all. And to have our yards and animals tied up so the reader could get to the meter. Today, I go to pay my bill and when I opened my account online, I find that my 12-month payment plan is 12 weeks! $50 a week on top of the coming months' bills!

The saddest part of all of this is this state is suffering and struggling day to day with people losing jobs, layoffs, foreclosures, etc.... With the coming winter, not only are they robbing us but they are the only gas company in a lot of areas. Something must be done to stop them. How many families with young children and our elderly going to survive through the winter? How can you go to bed at night with that on your conscience?

After talking to five people with no help (and no one seem to even care), they just kept passing me from one person to another. We own a small business, a bar and grill. We have had ups and downs and we got behind on or electric and gas bill. Four weeks ago, we paid them $1,800.00 then I got a shut off notice. Five days ago, I paid them another $1,500.00 so I had already paid $3,300.00 in four weeks.

Today, they came to turn the power off. I called them and they said that I owe $7,000.00. I said that it can't be right but they said that I have to pay a deposit of $4,500.00 plus what's left. After talking to five people, no one was nice and helpful at all. I was referred to a lady named May (1-866-815-2062). I offered to pay another $1,000.00 on Monday because I have a wedding in there this weekend. She said, "Too bad. I hope the wedding can find another place."

My point is that I have made payments to them but they are not willing to work with us at all. It is no wonder small business cannot make it in Michigan. My heat and electric bill is $2,000.00 a month that is $24,000 a year and my lease is only $1,100.00 a month. I am a very polite guy. I was nice to everyone that I talked to and even said thank you. Why can't I get any help to stay in business over an electric bill? I am a very unhappy business owner in Michigan.

The power supply was down for around 12 hours today, 20 Oct 11, in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The supplier is DTE Energy. This power interruption caused following:

5. I had to take a shower with very cold water, so I eventually developed cold and headache.

I was enrolled in a budget program, in June 2011. Recently, I received a paper saying that because I was two or more payments late on my budget program, I was being removed. Well, I paid the past two months on time, both over my budget. Now, am I supposed to wait for how long until my electricity may be turned off or get any info on my account and how to get this resolved so I know! I already had an issue of consumers charging me for an address that was supposed to be shut off by a realtor, when we cancelled buying of the house and never moved in! I don't see why certain people, who pay and will pay, get screwed out of the deal to be on a budget or payment program.

I had moved out of state and when I returned, I was informed by my ex-landlord that I was getting notices from Consumers--that I owed $4,000. I moved and no longer lived there and had proof that someone else was living there at the time. That was two years ago and they still tell me that I owe them that money. I am not able to get Consumers in my name until I pay it. I have a family, so how will I be able to provide them heat? I can't get heat!

I am being charged for a bill that was not in my name from 3.5 yrs ago. Now, they are just shutting my service off because they just decided I was responsible for this bill which I am not. I stayed with a boyfriend for 3 months to help him with his mother who was on her deathbed and all of a sudden this is my bill -- a $2700.00 bill, I don't think so. I cannot pay that kind of amount. Does this mean that I will never be able to have utility services ever again? I have 3 children, what am I supposed to do?

I have had a similar experience to many other people regarding overbilling by Consumers Energy. If anyone is interested in pursuing a class action suit, please email me.

In October 2010, I received a normal bill for $115 but two weeks later, I got a $3,000 bill from an address that I have never even heard of. I was told to pay or I will be shut off. I explained to the the rep that there was a mistake and she told me to prove to her that I didn't live there. I then told her to prove to me that I did. I faxed my I.D. and some court papers stating that I was in jail 12 months ago. However, I am still getting these bills and it is now $4,000.

Finally, she removed the large amount from my bill. But just a week later, another rep called stating that I need to pay the bill of $4,350. She told me to prove that I didn't live in that address and refused to look at my case. I told her that there is no way I could pay that bill. Apparently, the person on the billing statement was a friend of mine and she got the same bill. She called Consumers Energy and told them that they should remove the large amount from my bill. It was her bill but they told her that they were not going to do that.

About a month later, someone knocked on my door asking me if I had $1,087 or I would be shut off (like I had that kind of money laying around). I had to move and find another place to live where utilities are included because of their mistake!

Today, my mom and I received the power bill and it was $733! It said that it was an "actual meter reading" which is supposed to mean that someone came and read the meter and said it was 86,586 (Mind you, it is only my mother and I). When we went on the porch it said it was only 84,727! What the heck? It didn't go backwards, so, someone read it wrong!

So, my mom called and she couldn't get through! So then, she emailed them and she got a stupid automated response that didn't help! My mother would like a local number where she can talk to an actual person please! I am furious and I don't want our power turned off!

I came home from work last Wednesday and found two Consumers Energy workers dismantling my gas meter. They said it was too low to the ground and needed to be replaced and raised up higher. They said someone else was on the way to install the new meter and then they left. No one ever showed up. So, my house had no gas, thus no hot water and no gas for cooking. This was a total surprise to me. No one called and said this was going to take place.

My wife and I left for vacation on July 4th for a planned stay in Mackinaw City, Michigan. Her brother stopped by to feed the cats and get our mail. On Thursday, the 7th, he called and informed us that Consumers Energy had replaced our meter and we would have to call a 800 number to get our gas turned back on. I called this number and was informed by Consumers Energy that they could turn the service back on if someone was at the location; but, they couldn't tell us when someone could come by to do this (Even our cable company which doesn't have the greatest service reputation can give me a date and block of time to do service work).

Well, I wasn't about to ask my brother in-law to camp at our residence with no knowledge of when Consumers would be able to stop by. Keep in mind, we were not sent a notice by mail or contacted by phone to expect a meter replacement or service interruption of any kind. I was told by the first customer representative that the meter reader had noticed the glass cracked on the meter, and thank God, they had replaced the meter the same day. Well, we cut our vacation one day short to come home so we could call Consumers to get our service turned back on -- so we could do needed laundry, dishes etc. The representative told us that they would put a work order in, but couldn't tell us when service would be restored.

Also, this time, I was told the meter was replaced due to a gas leak Obviously, they will tell you anything depending on the representative you get. Now, keep in mind, they supposedly put in a new meter the same day a meter reader noticed some problem with it; but, we have to wait until God-knows-when to get our service restored! I'll leave you with what the first representative told me, 'Sir, it's not like it's cold outside and you are without heat.' No, just every other thing you could imagine. Thanks, Consumers, for ruining a relaxing vacation!

Their contractors for tree services are constantly damaging my property. They have made some of my hills impassable by creating deep ruts with their equipment, even trespassing by not being any where near the lines. They also damaged many trees by making their own paths through the woods about 60 yards from any power lines.

Consumers couldn't care less. They'll open my gate on my side driveway and then leave it open for other trespassers to use. They also have left trash behind when repairing lines. Consumers needs to go.

In February, I was contacted by someone in Saginaw stating that I had not paid my bill in 3 years. I was floored. I thought it had been coming out of my checking account all along. I was informed that I would have to pay for the last years worth of service totaling $1800! Again, I was floored. I could not pay that in full, especially since while the lady was calling me, I was paying a $500 deductible on my car because someone took my neighbors concrete birdbath and threw it through my window resulting in a lot of damage! I was told that I could make monthly payments.

I sent in 2 payments, but obviously they are sitting on someone's desk because yesterday, my service was shut off. When I got home at 8:30pm from work, I found this out, so I called the "customer service" number on my notice. I spoke with a lady named Terry. She looked into my account, accused me of not making payments since February of 2010 (even though I explained the whole story twice), she made under the breath comments about "if you balance your checkbook, you would see the payments" and then basically accused me of theft stating I had to speak to someone in the "theft" dept!

Again, I was floored. I asked if I should retain a lawyer and of course she said "No, just talk to that dept." I told her that I did not "steal" anything and she said that some people "tamper" with their boxes. I laughed and said that I do not have the time, the want or the knowledge to do something like that! Again, she directed me to the"theft" office and advised me to leave a number where they can reach me. I did leave a message. Remembering back to my conversation with the original lady in February, I recall her asking me if I moved. It looks to me like this is their billing error and I resent being called a thief!

I find this such a bizarre practice. When I pay my bill online to Consumers Energy, they always force you to make your payment date five days out. For instance, today is February 19th. When I made my payment, there is an option to "select" your payment date; however, you cannot select a date less than five days out, so I was forced to pick the default shortest day, February 24th. Why? Of course, when you do that, you get a warning, something like, choosing this date may occur after your due date and late charges may be incurred.

Now, I know when I pay every single other bills online: DTE, AT&T, charge cards, etc. The payment day is the day I make the payment and the charges are processed that day or at the latest, the next day. So, I'm wondering, why does Consumers Energy wait five days to process my payment? Is this a scam of theirs to accumulate late fees? Has anyone looked into this? It seems like Consumers Energy is ripping off the public. Class action suit? Anyone else think this practice is odd? Thank you for your help and concern.

I have been a customer of Consumers Energy here, in Grand Rapids for many years. All this time, I've been on the "Budget Plan", which averages out your total bill payments into a lower monthly rate that is easier to afford. My wife and I have always been on time with every payment.

Yet, now, I got a notice in the mail telling me I would be taken off of the "Budget Plan" because I've made two or more late payments! This has got to be a mistake! When I tried to call them on the phone, all I got were irrelevant options which would not apply to my problem, nor was I offered an option to speak with a human voice rep. Who could possibly correct this error? I feel as if I'm being handled like some lazy deadbeat who doesn't deserve to be given any type of a chance to rectify this situation! No one is there for me. It's a mistake. I'm not allowed to correct it, period. Dead line. Nothing. What can I do?

On 12/08, I filed for divorce and moved out of my home and into an apartment. I stayed with my parents a month prior. When I was living in my home, our gas bill was paid in full and was in my husband's name (ex husband now). My apartment I had at Semco Energy was in my name and paid in full. My divorce was finalized on 9/09 and I moved back into my home beginning of 2010. I had the gas bill turned on in my name (I went back to my maiden name so the bill is not the same last name as my ex). Our home is owned by my parents and I rent it from them.

On June 2010, I receive a bill from Consumers with an outrageous amount approx $1800.00. I called and spoke to the rep (did not get her name) and she told me if I can provide proof that I did not live at the home from 12/08 to 5/09 then they will take my ex's charges off of my bill. I faxed over my apartment lease, my divorce papers, my Semco bill and everything they asked for as complete proof that I did not reside in the home. My divorce papers also state that any bills in his name is his responsibility and any bills in my name is my responsibility.

Every month, I had to deal with Consumers trying to shut my gas off, faxing papers and calling them constantly. Then on Dec 10, I spoke with the rep that has been handling this case and she informed me that it doesn't matter if I didn't live in the home. It doesn't matter what the court papers say, she said since I was still legally married even though I filed for divorce and did not reside in the home, then his bill is my responsibility. I explained to her I can not afford that and I have a small child and it's just her and I. I don't get any type of child support or state aid. She said it did not matter. I asked several times to speak to someone higher up and she refused to let me speak to anyone. She told me, she is the Sr. Rep for my account and she is more than capable to handle this situation and would not let me speak to anyone higher up. Every time I call, I get transferred to her or to someone who is taking her calls when she is not there. She then told me to fax her all the info again (this is the 4th or 5th time I had faxed it). She would review it and to call her in a couple of days.

I faxed it to her twice and called over 10 times. She does not have voice mail and even sent her a fax asking her to call me. She never called me back. On Jan 26, 2011, I was home with the flu and Consumer Energy came to my home to shut my heat off. I explained the entire situation and the guy told me he will be back in an hour and I have 1 hour to either pay the amount or to have the issue worked out. I called Joy at Consumers and she did not answer. I called the main # for Consumers and I was transferred to Christy and she tried to reach Joy and was unable to. She then informed me that it doesn't matter who's name the bill was in or what the court papers say that if I don't assume responsibility for my ex-husbands bill then they will shut my gas off that day. I told her I don't have $2000 to pay the bill. She then told me my only option was payment arrangements and I had to pay $175 by Feb 9 and then I had to pay $380 plus my current months bill every month on or before the 9th or they will shut it off.

I can pay my own bill but I can not afford an additional $380 for my ex's bills. On Feb 9th, I paid $200 (even though I was told $175). Today I received a phone call from Consumers saying I was in default and I received a bill stating I owe an additional $58 or they will shut my gas off within the next couple of days. I called Consumers to file a complaint and spoke to a Mrs. ** who was very nice and told me to fax over all the information to her (my apartment lease, my divorce papers, my old gas bill, even the letter my ex wrote stating he is responsible for that bill not me) and she will look it all over.

I don't understand how Consumers can make me pay for a bill that was not in my name, in a home I did not live in during the time the bill was not paid and my ex and I have different last names (I had my last name changed during the divorce). I am a single mom and I struggle every month to pay my bills and I have physical custody of our daughter but I do not receive any type of child support or any state aid. Does Consumers have a right to make me pay for a bill that is not mine? Consumers were the ones who originally told me if I could prove I did not live here during those months, then it is not my responsibility and anyone that did reside in the home during that time and used the services is responsible. Now they are changing their statement. How can this be?

I am a 63-year old single female who works part time and receives SS. Last year and the year before, my electric bill was $45 per month. In the summer, I took myself off of the budget-wise program to save money and re-enrolled in the fall. Today, I received a bill for $100 per month--current amount owing is $184. I paid off my bill at the end of the budget-wise period (May). They stated that they do not want me to have to pay too big a bill at the end--isn't that for me to decide?

I have never missed a payment and this is still a $55 hike per month over the last winter. Even if I pay if off now, they will make me pay $100 per month until April and I cannot afford this ridiculous, out of line bill. Economically, it dips into my very budgeted lifestyle. Now, I cannot use any type of electric device for heat and my home sits on cement so it is cold. Now, my electric bill is higher than my gas bill. I need help because I cannot afford an attorney.

Complaint is on file regarding this problem. All I would like is for an appointment to read the meter at the above address. Consumer Energy has this property incorrectly listed as a Flint, MI address; it is Burton. I have made several unsuccessful attempts to have the meter read. I even supplied the reading and Consumer Energy indicated they would have to read the meter due to the length of time the meter has not been read. If I could get an appointment set up to read this meter, I would be a happy camper. Thank you.

First of all we filed a complaint on Saturday, Nov. 20, but inadvertently put DTE Energy down and not Consumers Energy. We have a company in Warren, MI; our average gas bill was between $3500 and $4500 per month. We purchased 14 new energy efficient furnaces to replace the old units which were 40 years old and within a couple of months after we started using them Consumers Energy came to our facility and changed the gas meter gear system installing a new gear unit. Our gas bill went up by at least a $1000 per month.

We fell into the rears with payment for gas. Now we have a $30k bill that is open from last year and we need to have an audit on the bills and an opportunity to pay back the debt while still having gas service. Consumers Energy will do nothing. We have no gas and our company cannot function without gas. This summer they came and removed the old gas meter that was very large and 3 feet x 2 feet and installed a digital unit.

I just moved into my house 3 months ago and have been receiving bills and paying them in full and on time. All of a sudden, I got a letter in the mail saying that I have a shut off notice and that I owe $1700. They decided to tack on my soon to be ex-husband's previous bill to my bill because: "Anything your husband owes us, you owe us." He doesn't live here and I didn't live with him when he incurred the bill. It's not fair. I shouldn't have to pay for something he did just because we're legally attached. If there is something anyone knows to get this taken care of, please post it. Thank you.

I bought a mobile home in Holly and got the Consumers in my name in Sept of 2010. They said that I had to fax over proof that I owned the place. I didn't get the title until today, November 12, 2010, which was the reason why I could not fax it over to them. Yesterday, they shut my gas off so I now have no heat, no stove, and no hot water. They told me that I would have to find another way to heat my house so I guess my kids will probably get cold. They told me that after I faxed the title over, it would take five business days to see if I get approved.

I have never had this problem before and have had Consumers for years. So what's next? I have to put a deposit down and they have sent me a bill for the month that I have not used it. You bet your ** that they want me to pay that. They are ** and need their ** handed to them. It's not my fault that I didn't get the title until today. Everyone there is a bunch of ** monkeys.

They have been charging me $23.99 a month for 3 years after I had cancelled the appliance agreement in writing as the contract said I could. I found this out after Consumers had sent me a 16-page print out from October 2009 to the present.

I am 80 years old and my husband and I are on a fixed income. It is criminal to charge us this extra amount for this long, and we cannot talk to any person at any of the numbers on the correspondence from Consumers. Please help us, we are at our wits' end!

In 2003, I moved into a house and had service in my name. I lived at the address for 1 year and moved. I transferred my service and it remained in my name until 2007 when my boyfriend and I moved to a new address. He put the service at our new residence in his name, we lived there for 6 months and were forced to move due to our landlord letting the house go. Since I was signing the lease for our new address, I put the service in my name. Now, we pay our own bills and no accounts together, anywhere.

Anyhow, we lived there for a year and I paid every bill on time every month, and the last month we were living in our newest residents, I receive a bill tacked onto the end of my bill over over 3000.00 dollars. My boyfriend, apparently never shut the service off and consumers never did either. They just kept letting the bill incur charges. I called to ask them why they would put someone else's bill on my bill and their answer was "You benefited from the service at the previous address therefore you are responsible to the charges." Huh?

I ask... "If I buy someone dinner on a credit card and I don't pay the bill, can they bill it to my friends account?" They answer, "We don't know how other companies work." Anyway...so since I was moving in with my mother in her new house, I paid my last bill and shut the service off. Now my mother has service in her name at her address which she never lived at any of my previous address and they have put the 3000.00+ on her bill. She called and told them no, etc..and they took it off. Now we just got another letter that they put the billback on her bill, meanwhile, I am receiving collection notices for collection agencies for the 3000.00+, which isn't my bill, but is on someone else's bill. Now my boyfriend has called and tried to work something out with them and they refused to work with him and rather tack it on someones bill.

I referred them to my ex husband if they'd like to just put it on someones bill, they refused that choice to. Somehow, I don't see this as legal procedure. This company is a bully and has a monopoly and should not be allowed these practices. I am not responsible for other peoples bills as they are not for mine, but this company is burdening people with others' bills. Now for the budget plan they was 924.00 a month? Are you serious?

I'm sorry you gave an individual credit, that's your risk, not mine. So we all now have to check our friends credit history beforehand so we don't get stuck with their bill because we "benefited from the "services." I need help from someone who can bully consumers around.

I lived with my daughter's father for a while and he had the energy bill in his name. We broke up because he was abusive. He is now incarcerated for that abuse. I am now married and our bill is in my husband's name. We got on the shutoff protection plan and our payment was 151.00 a month, well I noticed this month that they had taken 209.00 out of our account, so I called to see what the problem was. They told me that it was an 800.00 balance transfer from another account.

So after speaking to 2 other customer service reps, and the bankruptcy department because I filed chapter 7 in February, they tell me that my ex's bill is being added to my husband's bill because of me and that it is very legal and that there is nothing that I can do about it and if they want to. They can come after anyone associated with him for payment even my children. I am 11 weeks pregnant, it stressed me out so bad that, I went to the hospital last night because I started bleeding, now I'm on bed rest and threatening a miscarriage. I have a family that is depending on me being able to work, but don't know when or if I can even return to work.

They are charging me through the roof but not even coming to read the meter but just guessing. One month, it was 98.00 dollars then each month later, since they are estimating, it has been more than doubling and nothing has changed in my house. We use the same electric and it is getting worse. I am sick of being screwed by the electric company.

I did not have service at my Glenmorangie address. I only spoke to you about Southfield, Michigan. It will be very much appreciated if you take care of this matter because I have identity theft and everything is under investigation, anything in my name. Just to let you know.

I called consumers energy and requested that the power be taken out of my name at the address ** Kalamazoo, MI on January 8th or January 9th, 2010. I asked them to change the power over to Lake Ridge Dr, Kalamazoo. Apparently, power was not turned off on Pinehurst until April and I was subsequently charged over $900 by consumers for continuation of the power that I requested be shut off in January. I was told by Melody at consumers that there was nothing I could do about it and that there was no regulating agency over consumers that could address this issue. I did not have these charges show up on my bill for Lake Ridge Dr. until April. I was told that I would have to pay over $250 every 2 weeks for 8 weeks. This would cause a hardship for our family and I do not qualify for any sort of assistance as I work two jobs as a nurse.

When Consumers Energy began the meter move out program in our area, we called several times to set up an appointment. Not a single call was returned. Due to my business travel schedule, I put it out of my mind until March 2010. John came out to the house on March 30th to see where the meter could be relocated; the obvious location would be on the driveway, where a hookup currently exists. He said, "We are worried that it could be hit by a car and would prefer to move it by the dryer vent." To hit the meter with a car would entail hitting the porch and driving through part of the house; putting the meter would entail digging up most of the front lawn and landscaping.

Consumers Energy acknowledges they will be destroying property and killing trees and shrubs, but will not pay for any damage. My husband and I both attempted to reach someone to state that since an existing connection is already in place on the driveway side of the house, put the meter there and be done with it. My husband spoke with an Audrey who supposedly left a message for Kelly **. It is now May 6th and we did not receive a single phone call from Kelly.

I filed a complaint with the MPSC (MI Public Service Commission) who turned the complaint over to Cynthia **. She sent out a letter stating that we had to move the meter to wherever Consumers Energy told us to, pay for all damages created by Consumers Energy out of our own pocket, and if we didn't do it, the gas would be turned off. Also, in mid-April, a man supposedly from Consumers Energy showed up at the house. He is behaving in an intimidating and threatening manner. He said, "You've gotta move that meter outside or we'll shut your gas off." He proceeded to say, "We can do whatever we want, the FTC says so." He was wrong about the FTC, but apparently, Consumers Energy doesn't let a thing like accurate knowledge get in their way.

I tracked down the name of a board member and complained about all of the above. I was contacted by Catherine ** who said an investigation would be conducted. I was in turn contacted by Hermell ** who told me that we had to do what Consumers Energy told us to do or they would shut the gas off. When I told her about the person showing up at my house and what ensued, she said, "Our people always wear their badge around their neck. My people would never do anything like that." And refused to do any sort of investigation into who was in the neighborhood or was this individual impersonating a utility employee.

Since John was not wearing a badge around his neck when he was here in March, he in face had it clipped to his clipboard that negates what Hermell ** stated. Also, without conducting any sort of investigation, she cannot accurately make such claims. Also, there are now at least 4 people at Consumers Energy who are aware of the attitude of one of their employees and if this was not an employee of theirs (again, an investigation would need to be conducted to confirm if this was an employee) then someone is impersonating a utility worker. Those 4 people have chosen to do nothing. They have chosen not to alert the local police department, post any notices on their website, or alert the local media.

I built my own house three years ago and consumers came and hooked up power to my home. While this past January 2010, I started to look at my bill a little closer and came to find out they have been charging me the commercial rate for my personal residence since I started service in 2007. So, I called and had my rate changed and they said they will issue a credit for their mistake.

Now, today on 4/28/10, I talked with them about my rebate. They said there won't be a credit because it is my fault because I didn't call and have it changed when they send out rate letters to their residential customers. While I was not a residential customer, so I did not receive a letter so I had no way of knowing. until I started talking with my mother and her bill was about half of mine.

I believe I should get back what I over paid. I believe they are doing this because this is the only way I can get electric service in my area so I have to use them. It sounds like a monopoly. They can do what they want, when they want and the customers have to deal with it. Struggling to pay bills and support a family of three.

I received a letter from (I thought) Consumers Energy because it came in a Consumers' envelope. There was an 800 number. I called and the woman (Sherry) I talked to was very rude. She said I was going to be charged for my boyfriend's electric bill which was $2,997.46. I didn't live with him when he acquired this bill. When I moved in, I had the electricity put in my name because his ex-wife ran up a $2200 electric bill at her house in his name, which the bills were going to her house (unbeknownst to him).

Consumers charged him for his electric bill at his house, and her electric bill at her house, and now they are charging me because we live together and I had to put the electricity in my name until he can figure out how to sue her for her electric bill. I called and tried to get all the paperwork they asked of me, and they said they didn't receive my fax although I have confirmation. This whole time, I thought I was dealing with Consumers Energy and it was LJ Ross Collection Agency all along. They never identified themselves as such. They have transferred the balance to my account, and I am anticipating my $500 electric bill added to the $2997.46. How can they legally do this? This is a lot of stress and running around like a dog chasing its tail. It is extremely dizzying.

Consumer Energy is stealing us blind. In 2008 I paid my bill on time and my son called and told me they turned our energy off. I called and they said sorry and restored it. In 2008 I went back and forth with them on arrangements being made and was still receiving threats. Before I could finish a payment, a notice was in the mail. When I called, they would say, "Sorry, but you have to make them again". This time it's gotten so bad I have a folder on the mess. In 2010, I made arrangements on bill and learned that according to them I have defaulted on 9 arrangements because I'm supposed to pay past due arrangement plus the current bill.

I called them three times throughout the day today to ask when they would come to turn my gas on.

All they would could tell me was today. I informed them that I have four children that I need to keep warm. That did no good. I offered to pay my bill over the phone, they will only take a check. The second time I called today, the nice rude man that I talked to asked when I made the appointment to get my gas turned back on. I told him around 9 pm last night. He then told me, "Well then, they will be there before 9 tonight."

In December, I got a little behind on bills, so I made the payment arrangements on the consumer's website. And when it was time to make my first payment online, I had no problem. After that, it would not let me pay the full amount. I emailed them, and they replied, "You cannot make those payments online." In January, I received the intent to shut off notice. They claimed they tried calling me, but I always have my phone on and with me, so I knew they never tried.

I called them at 2pm, and they said someone will be there within 24 hours. So someone finally showed up at about 12 or 1 pm the next day. It was about 30 degrees in my house. And it was 9 degrees outside that night.

Now, today in February, I go online and I owe another $219. They charged me over $130 to come and turn my gas back on. If they would have called prior, I would have paid before they shut my gas off. I thought they had to contact someone who lives in Michigan during the winter prior to shutting off gas. They said part is all that I owed was $107. I can't believe they would shut gas off for that in these times and when it was so cold out! Do I have a case?

I received a letter from this energy company stating that an unpaid bill from a friends prior residence would be added on to my current bill. This unpaid bill should have nothing to do with me and in order to keep this from happening, they are requiring me to send them 3-4 documents from a 4 month time frame that reflects my address as not being the same as my friends address. The woman I dealt with on the phone was not very kind or helpful and had an accusatory tone the entire conversation. When I asked how this was possible, to have a bill unrelated to you added to your name, the woman told me that even if I was not on the rent or paying the heating bill that I was still responsible for using the heat in that building on the days I would spend time there. This seems ludicrous!

Ok, on 1/7/2010, I came home, and my gas was shut off for a past due amount of $251.33. I contacted Consumers Energy and stated that I was looking at the bill and it stated that I pay by 1/19/2010 which includes past and current bill amount. They stated that they would send someone out to restore my gas and I would need to give a money order in the amount of $251.33. Ok, no problem.

So they give me a restore confirmation number and stated that it should be on within 24 hours and someone will need to be at the home. Well, this call took place at 3:00pm. It is now the following day, and no one has arrived. I called like four times, and I got the same "song and dance." Someone will be out soon.

Finally at 3:00pm, I called and asked to talk with a supervisor. The supervisor stated that someone was on their way at 3:00pm. And she refused to give her full first and last names but only her first which she said was Andrea. She was uncaring and downright rude. I just hung up the phone. Well, 4:00pm rolled around and no one showed up.

I called again, and guess what? It was put into the computer that I was not here to receive services. So we all know this is a flat-out lie! It is 22 degrees with a young daughter and pet in the home, and I would walk away from this serious situation. Consumers Energy and their employees just figured they could teach me a lesson by not turning the heat back on. Now, I am still sitting in freezing temperatures with no assistance. This is a common practice with Consumers Energy, and someone needs to sue them for inhumane treatment!

I was stunned when I got a consumers bill for $350.00 so i called consumers to ask why i was getting such a high bill when I never paid bills that high. So they told me to give them a meter reading because they were using a estimated reading, Ive gave them the reading and told me to wait until they make the new bill.

When i got the new bill still shows the $350.00 but the usage was only 253.00 and there was a $98.50 for investigation fee. So ive called them to ask about that fee and the lady was rude and unpleasant to talk to, she told me that they sent someone to investigate my meter for fraud,because they though i was stealing gas, give me a break.

Anyways they didnt found nothing wrong, but here i am stuck with this 98.50 fee that they dont waive, because if they think u are stealing gas they will send someone and charge you even if they dont find nothing. Im very upset and sick of this companies taking our money when we need it the most.

If someone can help me or give me an advice I would apreciate it. Im a low income person. We are living on unemployment income right now because my wife and I were laid off a while ago. Im a diabetic and when things stress me like this my sugar levels get disrupted. Im feeling very sick as Im trying to write this, and I dont know how we gonna keep our heat if they keep piling up more stuff on our bill

In October of 2009 a bill for just over $1500 came to my apartment. Upon inspection we (my fiancee and myself)noticed that $1483 of the bill had been "transferred in". We called Consumers energy that day and they said that my fiancee's name is common and it must be a mistake that they would fix. The next month a bill came in that had a new and higher grand total with a late fee tacked on to it. Upon calling the company we were told that the account charges must be ours "because your name is on it". We replied that it was transferred in etc.

On 12-9-2009 a voice mail left with us stated that our documents were received but they needed the police report. I called back and left a message with the report #. On 12-10-09 the same person (Mrs. H) left a message saying she needed the report (the thing that police have, because it is still open) and she can't "do anything" with a report number. On this same day another bill arrived with a notice that our power and heat would be shut off on Christmas Day, we are going to owe more charges, and our credit rating will be affected.

It all started when I moved in my new appartment duplex my fiancy and my friend at the time I was number one on the head of house hold and the bill was in my name and they called me and said that my friend chris owes them around $718.00 or so and chris never told me that he owed them .. and I have had consumers power before on two different address's and never had to pay anything extra and they told me that I had to pay a $240.00 deposit to get it all in my name cause at that moment they put it in chris' name Chris Flanagan." because he owed them money from the past. and they refused my name even though I'm head of house hold and at the time i didnt know that chris owed them money until they told me .. well its stayed in chris name and he had a child so they just sent the reg bill to my address from jan. to now oct 1st. reg bill of this address been paid on time and in full .

the thing is chris moved outbecause I kicked him out because he could no longer pay his 3rd of the money for rent and bills and then I tried to get my landlord's keeperto get him off my lease and to write a letter of dismissal to consumers power which is nt still done and by mistake in the beginning she accidentialy put chris for head of house hold when it was really me because she did a full back ground check on me and I passed with flying colors ..well now as of 09/30/09 i got the bill for thismonth andiit was reg $33.18 plus $718.94 of chris's old bill on this bills which they told me that will never happen because they knew that chris hadnt lived her since april2009 and as of oct 1st I finally got to chris to talk to them after I talked to consumers power I finally got it in my name but they are still making me pay $240.00 deposit which i know for fact that I had two other addresses i had with consumer energy in my name before always paid on time as ussual but they want thier st\upid deposit $240.00 or they shut my electricity off and thats no fair when I ve been unemployed with bennifts they want me to spend a deposit when I ve been paying the bill on time since ofdecemberm 2008 til nowand still am I am forced to pay this deposit and my big opionion is that they just want my deposit to invest it and get more rich off my money and then when they done they going to pay it baCK IF THEY EVER DO plus some intrest and at the time they going to make alot of money off my deposit which is illegal and thast where it comes down too I gave them the proof that chris hadnt live here since april2009 and they stil wont go after him for what he owes to them.

so I m jus a guy that pays my bills on time and trying to make it whil my x friend chris is running away from his responsibilty an that consumer energy wan even accept small payment of the deposit so I dont mess up my other bills and now they wnat the whole deposit .. I am so mad at them that i even have a friend that use to work for them as a manager and she told me that what consume energy did to me is wrong and that they shouldnt make me pay a deposit of $240 because I had previous addresses with consumer power in my name and never was late and she is 100% sure that they cant charge me that deposit even though i get back when they decidee to with some interest but now I see that all that consumer wants is my deposit so they can get rich on investing my money.. for their bennifit .. as they told me on the phone that my old addresses that I lived at doesnt count that their new policy is newcomers to consumers have to pay a deposit thats why I know they just want to invest to get richer... thats my complaint and I hop what goes around comes around they will get punished one day for their illegal actions ... well i know that they want my deposit so they can get richer ....

CONSUMERS ENERGY SUCKS !! I recently moved to a new apt and i never had an account with consumers energy and unfortunately that is the only service provider for Gas in that area...

So i called consumer enegery on sept 2,2009 to start a new service for the start date sept 6, 2009. The customer representative told me that someone will be calling me the next day and get my details like my SSN, Drivers license no..and thn thy will give me a confirmation no. I never got a call back from them..so i called them on sep 8 and they said that it is not 5 business days yet and beacuse it was a labor day weekend thy did not have enough staff ...so i asked them when can i expect the call and they replied before sept 10.

Today it is sept 11 and i did not recieve a call yet..so i called them back ...and today they say that my service was already started on sept 6 and that if i do not fax a copy my ssn, Drivers licencse & lease agreement by sept 14th my service will be stopped...i really got ****** *** when they said tht...i asked thm tht u were supposed to call me which u never did and now u r going to cancel my service if i do not fax my details...how the hell would i know tht thy already started my service...

he said tht in a very rude way...i felt like saying him to go flush himself in a s**t pot !!!

Consumer energy sucks big time !!!

We werent married when I supposedly incurred this "back-bill". So I contacted Consumers Energy and nobody had an answer, they said I just have to pay it. I called the Utilities Comission and they werent able to do anything about it either.

In 2008, my husband and I started to build a house. We called Consumers Energy to hook up our power. They ended up hiring an independant contractor to run our power line underground because they were to busy and we had already waited a few month's. We did not use any power until September. I started calling Consumers Energy in January of 2009 because we had not yet received a bill. They assured me they would look into this. Long story short, after several calls I never received a bill.

In July, they sent an investigative tech to our house to see why we were not getting a bill. He explained that because an independant contractor did the work, we somehow "got lost in the system". He assured that he would fix everything. On Saturday Aug. 29th, they shut our power off. No bill, no shut off notice. When my husband called they explained that they did not know where to send the bill. He said to call back on Monday because they could not do anything about it over the weekend. They did not even know who I was on Monday because my account had the name of Kelly M.

I talked to several people and nobody would help us. Mu husband was called a thief and a liar and was told to pay the bill and they would turn our power back on. I then went to Saginaw on Tuesday to pay the bill only to be informed that I did not have a balance. Imagine my frustration. So they direct me to a wall full of phones to call yet again and to tell my story for the 20th time.

Finally, I find a tech who does a little investigatin. She informs me that I have two accounts and my bill is going to the wrong address. After several apalogies, she tells me this is their fault and we will have power restored that day. They are going to credit my account for any inconvienience this has caused.

I go home and wait all day for my power to be restored and surprise-no one comes. I keep calling and they tell me they have no record of having shut it off. I want to pull my hair by then. So they next day, I call again and again no one knows anything except Tara the tech who helped my on Tuesday. She finally gets my power turned back on at 12:30 on Wednesday.

Besides the inconvienience of having no power for 4 days, I lost food in my fridge because the generator (which cost around $10.00 a night) could not keep it running adaquately. We would have to shower and do laundry at our families houses, we had to eat out every meal for 4 days, I had to waste gas money and time to drive to Saginaw to pay a bill that I never payed because they did not have a balance for me.

I have a problem with Consumers energy. I used to live at my boyfriend's sister's condo she bought. After two years, her fixed rate mortgage went up $1000. Nick and I paid her $500 a month for rent and the other bills combined, including our electric bill. We were forced to move out because she was so late on her mortgage payment that the house was going into foreclosure. She waited until it was too late to let us know. We weren't the only ones living at the previous address.

When we moved into my current apartment, I never knew she didn't pay the consumers energy bill. So now, almost a year after being at this new apt. I just received a bill from consumers energy for $771 and some change for the past due bill she never paid, for the condo she let get foreclosed, and the bill there was never in my name. I don't understand how they can legally transfer someone else's account onto mine in this new apartment when I was paying her for the bills at the condo.

When I spoke to customer service they were very rude and told me that's a problem between her and me now because since we shared the same address at the time that I'm basically the unlucky co-signer for her bill and I get stuck with it. I just turned 20, and I have been living on my own for three years and have never been behind on bills. I am very responsible and I've never been late with consumers so why am I stuck with this. I just need help, I don't know what to do.

I purchased my home in July of 2008. My eldest son lives with me and he attempted in 8/2008 to have Consumers Power (CP) bill put in his name; however, he was instructed to bring in numerous documentation that he never did comply with. In late Jan. of 2009, I obtained a bill for nearly $1400 which was related to when I resided with my mother in 2004. Basically, the charges were put in my name from 2004. In addition, this bill has both my son's name and mine present upon the bill.

In Feb. of 2009, I submitted a complaint with MPSC in which no resolution occurred when having dialogue with the CP billing supervisor and I then requested a hearing. I was never granted that hearing, continued to receive shut offs and therefore did make additional payments which totaled $608 just to prevent shut off. Well, I was unaware that when I obtained the bill with my son's and my name on it, the account number pertaining to the address was changed. Payments exceeding $608 are on the previous account in which Consumers Energy currently refuses to credit my current account, even after providing proof of payment from my bank to Consumers Energy. I did request another hearing with the MPSC and again, neither representative nor MPSC has given me the opportunity to present this case in court.

I have a utility company that put a utility bill in my son's and my name without permission, charges occurring at my current place of residence for another individual's debt, the inability and denied my basic right to present this case in court, refusal to refund or properly credit my current account even with Consumer's Energy being provided proper documentation regarding this matter (the account numbers changing on this address really did a number), denial of any payment arrangement or collaborative effort to resolve this matter with Consumers Energy showing up today to shut off my gas. If there is anyone that can provide me insight on how to obtain relief from this situation, I would be very grateful. This has caused such stress that is unimaginable. I feel that this company is allowed to do whatever they want and have no consequences. In addition, their business is conducted under duress.

so on april 27 2009 the crew comes to move my meter, i start complaining to them so they call their supervisor MARV, reached at the same number i provided,he comes out and agrees with the crew stating"i dont want to dig by those trees as there is a 50-60% chance we could kill them." them MARV says " we will move the meter to the side of your house{right on the driveway} my driveway is 1 year old plus its dangerous if a car would hit it{are they trying to kill my family?},so i said fine put it there give me a check for $10,000 so i can have my whole driveway redone,plus i told MARV that CONSUMERS ENERGY, the police and the fire depts would be at my house every day to fix the smashed meter,as i would hit it with my car daily, CONSUMERS SOLUTION, we will move it to the other side of your property but have to CHARGE YOU $600-$1,000 ,i laughed.

MARV says i must do it their way by next summer or i have to PAY regardless.MARV says they wont do anything that day and he will talk to his bosses to see if he can get them not to charge me and the meter move out coordinator will call me in a few days.last i hear about it till today.

may 11 2009, call the meter move out coordinator to see whats going on retell them my stance and she restates CONSUMERS ENERGY policy,CONSUMERS ENERGY WILL NOT PAY FOR THE DAMAGE TO THE CEDAR CLOSET,WE KNOW WE ARE DAMAGING IT,BUT WE WILL NOT PAY,AS FAR AS YOUR TREES WE WILL NOT DAMAGE THEM AND WILL ONLY PAY IF WE KILL THEM.

now when you dig around a tree you cut roots and trees die{ even MARV and the crew agreed}.

there are 3 outcomes to this story
1. CONSUMERS ENERGY does that right thing and pays for any damage.
2. i refuse to let them move my meter and they shut off my gas services
{am i living in nazi germany?}
3. i resolve this my own way and would need a great defense attorney.

any help would be great. thank you very much.

We received an astronomical bill in the mail from Consumers Energy. We have never been late on any bill before. When we questioned them, they said that bills were purely subjective in the winter and usage was "estimated." They said it was our responsibility to know what our bill should be and account for any discrepancy. We informed them that we did not work for their company, and did not have access to exactly what our bill should be. They then re-calculated our bill and came up with a slightly lower amount.

On March 16, 2009 I received a letter in the mail indicating that my recent meter reading indicated "no gas useage, we can only conclude that the meter is no longer registering". I pulled out all my bills for the past year (thank goodness I keep all records) to see that I've had the same gas charges as normal, nothing low about my bill at all.

Consumers Energy came out and replaced my meter without any warning or permission.

In looking at my bills, billing period 12/31/008-01/30/09 my gas usage was $193.94, total bill $310.88, billing period 1/31/09-2/26/09 gas usuage was $151.93 total bill $256, billing period 2/27/09-3/30/09 gas usage $116.16 total bill $224.16.

I have also noted that during the billing cycle of 1227/07 - 4/22/08 I was double billed on the start and end dates.

My Mom is a Consumers retiree, so I had her look at my bills. She told me that what they are doing 'is' double billing and they can't do that. It makes sense it is double bill, as there are no other bills showing cycles like this.

On 4/9/09, I spoke with Mandy and she advised the same things I'm seeing in other complaints posted, it was a "cold season", give me a break. When I told her about the double billing, she told me "it might look that way, but we didn't really double bill you". I asked her, do you think I'm that stupid?

Here we are first of May and I have been trying to reach someone to work with me on this for two months. No luck, much like all the other posts. I call, leave a voicemail, no return call.

So, I called today, determined I wasn't going to hang up without an answer. I was on the phone for 30 + minutes, transferred 4 times and when I reached Mann (that was the name of the lady), I told her I've opened a complaint case and Claudia Hernandez is my caseworker, but she refuses to call me back. She started telling me "Mam, it isn't that she doesn't want to call you back, we are busy". What? I said "two months" give me a break. She started raising her voice at me, so I requested a supervisor. I was transferred yet again to Monica Fan, guess what, got her voicemail.

I left her my home and work number, told her I expected a call back and given I've not received a call back in two months, I was going to file with Consumer Affairs.

I will continue to pay my bills, but only for what I have used. I refuse to pay for something that appears to be fraudulent at best.

I had an unexplained 1000 kw jump in my power bill for just one month. Before I retired I held an Elect Lic. I had no appliance changes to cause this jump as far as anything I was running. This all happened after my old meter was replaced with a new electronic one. My wife talked with some other people who have had the same type of problem. I am now looking for other customers of Consumers Power Co. who have had this same 1000kw+ type of jump with no reason for it.

In November 2008 our online bills stopped coming to our email. My wife and I have been wrestling with Consumers Energy to correct this problem since then. We have been assigned to person after person who would supposedly help and cannot contact them nor receive return phone calls or information from them.

One individual woman was extremely helpful in pointing out that the bill was stuck in their system and needed to be released. When they finally cleared their error they sent a bill today stating the following.

Your energy bill for 289 ROSE BRIER DR is now ready for you to view.

This month's bill totals $1,343.81, and is due on or before 04/24/2009.

We do not have this one-time payment amount and cannot get anyone to communicate with us so we can make payment arrangements. All we wanted was our bill so we could pay it back in November 2008 and they have made this a nightmare. I have seen the complaints online against this company which are too numerous to mention. This is a horrible company, with horrible employees! IT TIME FOR SOMEONE TO COMPETE FOR THEIR BUSINESS!

In all likelihood these same people will shut off my service and charge penalty and reconnection fees, because I can't pay this all at once! I am trying to prevent this!!

I paid the bill each month. In Oct.2007 i gave them 1144. they have not taken it off my bill. Since they have not taken it off my bill the bill is 1722.63 with the new bill that just came it is 2265.37. Department of Human Services wont help because it only shows that I owe back bill of 578 plus the bill i just got for 542. but i am on a budget plan of 343 a month. i just copied off of their websit my payment history showing that 1144 was paid. i have sent them a copy of this. i cant find my reciept that i got when i paid it. they are saying it is not showing up on their computer as paid. but it is showing up on their websit saying it is paid.

if i have to repay that amount to keep my power on since i have a friend living here that is on oxygen and a cpap machine do to strokes then i cant make this house handicap proof. that will put my friend at risk of falling. only make 518. month for taking care of my friend thru the state of michigan. my friend gets ssi 674. month. by the time we may the bills that dont leave us much money. the 1144 came from a job that i did to get the electric caught up. i have to have knee surgery again from a accident i was in back in june 2008. that is going to be at least 3 months were i cant do anything again.

I received a bill from Consumer's Energy this month for $601.97 for my electric and gas service. I call and complained and they explained to me that the bill was high due to it being a record cold month last month. When I looked at my meter reads which by the way are all actual reads it shows that I use an average of 17-23 mcf's per month. This month, I supposedly used 443 mcf's!!!! My god, my house must have been 200 degress every day last month!!

After being on hold with all their departments for over 40 mintutes, they so kindly offered me a $25.00 credit to my bill. What a slap in the face. I questioned the meter reads and had someone from Consumer's Energy come and check my meter. I didn't have any leaks so I showed the maint. person my meter reads and she said I can tell you what happened, the meter reader has been reading your meter wrong!! It was obvious to her and she showed me all the monthes it was read wrong starting in May 2008.

Now, during the coldest month of the year, they hit me with a catch-up because their incompetent employee had been reading my meter wrong. What a joke!! I will not pay, I guess they can shut my service off and I will sue them when my 3 yr. old daughter has the slightest sickness due to living in a house with no heat or electricity.

My last two gas bills have been $400 a month. Last year I couldn't afford to drive my car, this year i can't afford to heat my house. My house is already in forclosure. How much are you going to let the utilities like this one squeeze out of us? :(

I can't afford to heat my house. Oh by the way my 88 year old mom's last bill was 616.00 Something has to be done immediately.

My last two gas bills have been $400 a month. Last year I couldn't afford to drive my car, this year i can't afford to heat my house. My house is already in forclosure. How much are [they] going to let the utilities like this one squeeze out of us?

I can't afford to heat my house.

We turned our power on in June 2008 we didnt recieve a bill for 3 months when we finally did recieve the bill it was for the 3 months and it was only for$18 so we sent them our home heating credit for$204. The next bill same thing but only $6 mind you all our bills had a zero begining read and zero end read. In other words they were just billing us for the use of the meter. Then for the month of november we recieve a bill for $180 CR-DO NOT PAY. Still no meter reading. Now we recieved a bill for the month of December for$642.87 and that bill said we owed for the month of november $389 but on th November bill($180 CR-DO NOT PAY) there was no remainder balance or we would of payed it. Two days after recieving the bill for December we got a Shut-off notice for$358.

We went to the Consumers Energy today 1/19/09 and talked to costumer service through there phone service there. I talked to a lady named Camron who told me that they were estimating our bills from the year previously due to problems with a new system. But, last year at this time we had no electricity we were running off of the neighbors because we had to save up $3500.00 to turn the power back on. Also Ms. Camron asked if we were using any gas and I told her yes and that we still have not gotten a bill whatsoever for that. She said it wasn't in their computers that the gas was even turned on and that we were to go home and write down the reading on the gas meter and she would contact us at 6pm to get the reading.

When she called my husband spoke to her and gave her the reading. Afterwards he asked her if we were going to get a big bill. She replied your gonna get what's coming. He then again asked her about the light bill. She replied what you think you are gonna get all summer for free. That we are gonna have to pay and that the gas bill we will recieve will be a catch up bill in otherwords we are gonna be slapped with a giant bill we can't afford do to thier mistake in their computers. The lady was very rude to my husband and right we are at the end of our ropes we feel that the whole issue is out of hand and that it isn't our fault that they were not billing us properly. My husband has spoke on a couple occassions to the meter readers and asked them why we weren't recieving any bill they said they just read the meters.

I've called on numerous occassion and failed to even get the chance to talk to someone and when I finally got through i'd explain the problem only to get put back on hold and transfered to another department only to get no answer. After sitting on hold for 20-45 minutes it gets frustrating and now that I did speak to someone I am very upset and frustrated and nothing got resolved.

They are threatening to shut the power off which in turn will do major damage not only to our plumbing system but can also bring damage upon my husband because he can't get sick right now due to a triple bypass he just went throught in the beginning of November. If he gets sick he could very possibly end up in the hospital due to anamonia because his body is still tring to heal.

I signed an agreement in Feb.2007 for oil delivery in my house and they offered automatic delivery and auto pay from my credit card. They were charging initially 2.89 and gradually started hiking to $ Four. I mentally percieved that since oil is 150.00 a barrel so its understandable. But now the oil is $ 35 a barrel and still they are charging almost $ 4 and withdrawing money from my authorised crditcard account. I conacted the office personnal but to no avail. We,my wife and myself live alone,are senior citizens and have limited meagre resources,but still they are charging $3.89. when everywhere the heating oil is advertised at $1.99.

To add insult they sent $ 200.00 in vouchers out of which only $ 50.00 is credited every time and we have to use it before oct. We visit our childerenand are mostly out of town but this company has shown no passion or understanding.Our 50% of limited income goes to the oil company.No action has come forth from them and they claim it be be consumer oriented company.We are facing lot of hardships.

After comeing home from a two week vacation and opening my electric bill I knew somthing was wrong. I had $159.00 bill for two weeks of service with out running any a/c. My last bill was $97.00 for a full month. After checking some of my other bills I went outside to read the meter, thats when it really got strange. The meter was reading numbers in the 47,000 range and my bill readings were in 76,000 range. after checking futher I found out that the meter number on the bill did not match the meter on my house??

Seems I have been paying someone elses electric bill since I moved in almost eight years ago.

After several hours ont the phone I finally got through to them what was going on. They siad they would put a hold on my account and don't pay any bills until I was contacted.

After a week or so I thought I better get something in writing if I was not going to pay my bill. But they couldn't do that I would just have to trust them that they would not shut my electric off.

I then called Michigan Public Srevice Commission to file a complaint. Two days latter I got a call from Ms. Dalton in there complaint department.

She said that there new computer system was causing a lot of problems and she wasn't sure how long it would take. On my third bill the credit showed up, no break down of how it was figured just numbers, over $2,500.00.

I called Ms. Dalton back and ask for a break down, she said that a Ms. Boerman did that work and she gave me that number. Called fir five day, never got a return call. Called Michigan Public Service Commission again and told them the story, next day I got a call, said I would get a break down by the end of the week.

I did, but the did not figure any interest. According to the Public Service Commission they have to pay 7% compounded yearly.

I called Ms. Dalton again, she said that Ms. Boerman would have to do that.

Again no return calles from Ms. Boerman.
I called the Public Service Commission again. The next day I get a call from Ms. Dalton, she ask how much did you figure the interest would be? I figured about $305.00, She figured over $500.00. She wanted me to tell her how to figure it, pretty sad.

we agreed on $298.06.

I requested my credit to be sent to me in the form of a check, but haven't seen anything yet, five weeks latter.
Consumers energy told me at the begining of all this that the wrong meter on the wrong bill is common, mostly on apartments, not houses, and not for eight years. They have a department that just works on wrong billing.
How many people never received the 7% interest that was due them??

Still waiting for my check!

According to the Michigan Public Service Commission they only have to go back three years for over payment and one year for under payment.Would like to see what eight years credit would be.Also would like to know if they pay 7% on all of there credits that are due?

I hope that every thing is OK now,if I get my check.

I opened a work order on 10/13/08 to have Consumers Energy bolt my gas meter to my house because it got pulled away from the house while a city road construction added a new gas line to my house. I was not told I had to be home since it was outside the house. After calling on 10/20/08 I was advised the worker was not able to tighten the bolt because no outlet access for the drill.

I rescheduled for someone to come out on 10/21/08 which the worker did but then looked at the meter and said the tubing going into the house is not at code due to a flex line. The worker stated they would need to reschedule and I was given a date of 10/28/08. I took the day off from work and called around 1:30pm on 10/28 to find out this was scheduled at 11/2/08 which is a Sunday. I asked if they schedule jobs on Sundays and was told by a Kristin no they do not but do not change the schedule. She was rude and turned the story around stating I called and made it for 11/2/08.

I tried to explain to her I took a day off work and was given the date of 10/28/08 and to be avaialable for the access to the house.Again the customer service rep was rude. I asked to speak to a supervisor and Kristin advised me they could not help me and to let it go and keep the schedule.

I still have a flex line as a gas connection which is not at code and I feel this is now a safety issue.

I don't feel that the readings are correct for my bill. When i moved in I think they might have messed up on the begining reading. One month I'll pay around $60 and the next month $550. Something is obviously wrong with that. There was supposed to be a hold on my account while I was waiting for consumer affairs to contact me and no one ever did. So on top of all that I have been charged late fees because they took the hold off of my account.

Finally, I wrote an article in the local paper and got a response from our State Rep. and then got a call from Consumers on Fri. Aug. 21st. I told her I would send out payment for the past due amount soon. So, when I called to dispute the shut off notice the girl stated so what do you want me to do. I let her know I disputed the bill and she can't shut if off. She stated she could once the next months bill was generated. Is this truly how it goes? It's too bad I can't pick who supplies my electricity. WHERE IS CUSTOMER SERVICE ANYMORE?

I have lived in my home since August 2001 to the present. I recvd a bill today in the amount of 1,372.45 the explaination I revcd from Consumers Energy was that my meter hasn't not been an actual reading for 18 month only estimated I would like to dispute this bill considering that my month bill estimated payment during the winter months were between 275-400 a month in which is inaccurate considering that for the past two year my boiler has been broken my family has used space heater. During the summer months my bill averages 100-175.

In 2001 I had a family of 4. In 12-03-2003 my husband was killed that reduced my family to 3. I would appreciate it if someone would look into this matter. There is an gross adjustment to my bill without sufficient explaination.

$110 or i assume they will turn off my gas.

Recieved a letter in July regarding forestry line clearing in our area. Called MS Alicia Starks on 7/20/06 and 7/24/06 and left messages for her. She returned my call in August and explained to me there would be a exception to cutting down over ten 25 foot evergreens that border my yard from a busy 55 mile/hr road. She explained since they were a road buffer they would only trim them up.

I told her there were 2-3 trees that were close to the pole that may have to come down, and I didn't mind this, but we did not want our land scaping cut down to nothing(the area cleared was clearly landscaping). She said she would talk to her supervisor and that either she or her supervisor would be out to look at the situation and to talk to me about it. Yesterday I came home from work and all the trees were cut down completely.

Now a baren burm next to the busy road where our beautiful pines once stood. Property value dropped $50,000. Safety issues now that the busy road is right in our back yard, and the cost to replace such a road buffer is high.

We have contacted Consumers Enegy several times about our outrageous bills. Our bill have been 300-400 dollars a month since we have lived here. We called them and they came out and said we needed a new meter so they put one in and our bills are still the same. Our meter is set on F(for fast) I contacted them again after asking around and checking throughout the neighborhood and after seeing nobody elses meters spun that fast and their bills weren't have as high as ours even with some people running their AC's all day. Something just don't seem right to me. They said it was suppost to do that. We were on a payment plan a month and we pay 220 a month to be on that.