Complain about a product or service

Progress Energy Florida

Melissa of Victoria, TX November 23, 2009

My Mother had service with Progress Energy for 13 years. She died in August. I called them in September to make sure they knew I was responsible for the bills until the condo sells. I am in Texas. Aubrey told me that I could not change account into my name until they had Letter of Adminstration from Attorney. I received a letter on November 5 saying I needed to update records. I have been paying every bill at least 1 week before it is due. No late bills or problems with that. I called when I got the letter and talked to Linda.

Linda told me that since I was selling the condo and it was an estate we could keep the name as XX her name estate as long as they had the Letter of Administration. I faxed letter of Administration to them. Then on November 14 the Realtor called me to tell me the electricity had been shut off and they were having an open house the next day. I called the outage number and they first told me it would be back on in 2 hours and then when I called back told me it had been shut off because it wasn't changed into my name. I called on November 16 and talked to Bree and explained that Linda had told me I didn't have to change it. She said I had been told the electric was going to be shut off on the 10th. I never received a call. She told me that since the error was theirs, I would not be charged a reconnection fee.

On November 19, I got a bill for 200 for a deposit. I called and was told by Eric that when his parents died he just wrote checks out of the estate account and why didn't I just do that. I explained that my mother due to her illness did not leave an estate or an account and that I was paying this. I paid the 200 and then today I got another bill for 228 (they had not recieved the 200 yet) which included a reconnection fee. I called and talked to Renee and she said they always charge it. I explained what Bree had told me and she said it didn't matter if it was their error or not I had to pay it. I told her how rude everyone except Bree I had talked to had been and I asked if I could expect any more charges since they couldn't even send these all on one bill. She said she guessed they made a mistake but I had to pay it. I tried to get through to a supervisor to report the treatment and was disconnected twice.

They have consistently been unhelpful, not the least bit considerate. I have been treated unkindly, rudely, and unreasonably. If I had any alternative to this company I would take it. I am just waiting until this condo gets sold and I no longer have to spend an hour or so a week on the phone with Progress Energy.

Steve of Clearwater, FL November 4, 2009

I paid a 663.00 bill using EZ PAY for progress. They claimed I never made the payment. I provided the confirmation number that they claimed they could not find. I sent them a copy of my statement and they STILL made me pay again. Finally I filed a complaint with the Utility Commission and EZ pay agreed to pay ME 236.00 for a few fees that I incurred during the course of this NIGHTMARE. I still have not received anything and when I call the executive office at Progress they tell me that they have no contact number for EZ PAY???? I was charged about 1200.00 in fees total and have been threatened to be taken to the State Atty for a returned check that they caused. They refuse to help me and I do not know what to do

Cathy of Lakeland, FL October 20, 2009

I sent a check in for my niece (Lauren) on 10/1/09 for 251.75. Sent several checks out that day, they are the only one that didn't receive. I had to make a payment on a credit card yesterday to keep the electricity on. I paid this month and next month. I called today to tell them not to cash the check if they receive it. They said they can't do that and if I stop payment on it, they will charge Lauren 30 for a stop payment. This is not right. She is prepaid ahead two months and you know they have that check there somewhere and will apply it. So I am stuck.

Amber of Orlando, FL October 17, 2009

My power was shut off in August of 2009. Progress Energy stated I hadn't paid my bill. I pay all my bills online. For some reason they did not take my payment. I called Progress Energy within minutes of my power being shut off and explained my situation. I paid my bill over the phone. They stated they were going to charge me a reconnect fee and there was nothing they can do about that. That was the second time that happened this year. I got a bill this month it’s now October. They charged me a 220 dollar deposit. I have been with them for 2 years. I didn't have to pay a deposit when I started their services and my account was up to date. I can't believe they can do this to people my bill is now over 400 who has that kind of money for a utility bill.

margarita of largo, FL October 9, 2009

First of all, Mr. C lied when he said he was representing Progress Energy as he really works for Allied Interstate Inc, AND Progress Energy knew of this! According to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 USC 1692g Sec. 809 (b) validation is requested of this bill they claim is mine. I have requested: 1) Please provide me with the following: 8- for; 2) Explain and show me how you calculated what you say I owe; 3) Provide me with copies of any papers that show I agreed to pay what you say I owe; 4) Provide a verification or copy of any judgment if applicable; 5) Identify the original creditor; 6) Prove the Statute of Limitations has not expired on this account; 7) Show me that you are licensed to collect in my state; 8) Provide me with your license numbers and Registered Agent. BUT, they continue to refuse to show me written proof that this debt is indeed mine. They are acting against FL law!

Stephen of Apopka, FL September 25, 2009

After going online and making a payment 9-9-09 not knowing that this transaction did not process services were shut off on 9-22-09. I call immediateily to rectify this situation and the power was restored. However on the 24th I received notice that I was going to be billed an additional 465 for a deposite. This is excessive and a prime example of what happen when there is no alternative. My child will not be able to stay in afterschool programming and I will not be able to follow up making payments to aquire health insurance on my families already tight budget.

TobieAnn of New Port Richey, FL September 24, 2009

I was shut off the other day for being behind on bill. BUT I have been paying on the account as early as last week and other payments prior to that.I was not notified that I was in risk of being shut off . That's not the best part...after speaking to 3 different people and I get a so called supervisor who tells me my service was actually turned off 3 weeks earlier and apparantly we have been STEALING unauthorized electricity. That my husband or myself illegally reconnected the electric and tampered with the meter. WE ARE FURIOUS!!! I have no problem with paying for usage. BUT to be accused of something I did not do!! No one came to my house 3 weeks ago and disconnected me. AND on top of the 40 dollar reconnection fee, They want me to pay another 83 dollars for the investigator they sent to find out why we still have service. AND they have a 450 dollar deposit on my account. Every person I spoke to was nasty. I am still working on proving we didn't touch the meter AND that no one came to disconnect before the other day. I just found out today, that Progress did the same thing to my friends son just a few weeks ago. Best part of that...Her son hadn't even moved in to his apartment yet, but was accused of illegally turning on the power for the apartment. Something very fishy going on here and I plan on getting to the bottom of this!!!

Charles of Winter Springs, FL September 23, 2009

Last year we had problems paying our bills. We ended up giving Progress Energy a 420.00 security deposit. Starting in November of 2008 we started watching what we were doing and paying by computer to Progress Energy. Since that time we have paid on time and made sure we stayed caught up with no problems. We just lost our house and moved into an apartment. We got charges for the move, and were told that they could only credit our account 85.00 of the 420.00 . Because we have children and plan not to move for quite awhile, I'm looking at them making interest off our money for the next ten to fifteen years.

Then on top of that, when I called to set up the disconnection and reconnect at the new address, they did not do it on time and I got extra charges. The one that gets me upset is that they did not turn it on when they said and now my apartment is charging me 50.00 extra dollars because of that. I did not get it in writing because I called it in. Progress is the only game in town so unless I can get the apartment company to waive it, I'm stuck for 50.00 more dollars that was not my fault.

Besides having them make money on my money for years to come which seems like a rip-off. I wish there was options, but there is not. And, because my wife called in the orginal start with Progress when we moved to Florida, they will not even speak to me about it, only my wife. In times like this, large companies like Progress making it harder is not right. But I'm afraid there is nothing that can be done. Good customer service and community relationships mean nothing to Progress if it costs them money. They have nothing to worry about, where else can we go? If there is anyway to get back more of the security deposit sometime it would be great. As far as the fifty, I'm afraid the apartment complex we moved into is I'm sure my only chance for help. 50.00 lost, and 335.00 which Progress makes interest on, not us.

Eglantina of St Petersburg, FL September 22, 2009

We have been having many issues with this company since a long time ago. They have been overcharging us by changing their energy and fuel rates occasionaly for very short period. Only in about two years, the rates have changed five tmes. Now the rates in my bill are: 5.56900c for 1000kWH; 6.56900c for over a 1000kWH; and the fuel charge: 5.60000c for 1000kWH; 6.60000c over 1000kWH.

i have not calculated the economic damage, but it has been a very stressful situation every time the bill comes. Even we have contacted them too many times, never got the right answer.

Brandi of Holiday, FL September 14, 2009

I have had Progress Energy for 5 years. I have never broken a payment arrangement. I have never bounced a check. I have never been disconnected for nonpayment. However since Progress Energy's rate hike, my bill is higher than normal (duhhhh) and now since my bill averages higher than my deposit (made 5 years ago) they will no longer let me make payment arrangements or extensions on my bill. WHAT?!?! Is this some sort of joke? They hike their rates up and tell you that your bill is too high to get an extension in THIS economy? I only get paid once a month. SHAME on Progress Energy!!

Customer "service" agents just read from a screen, telling you that their rate hike was approved by the utility commission and bla bla bla. When you ask to speak to someone who can actually do something about it, they tell you that no one can. Then they just sit there . . . Are you kidding me? Is there NO ONE who can do something about this ridiculous company raping single parents and other hard-working Americans trying to stay afloat and feed their children? Hmmmm, I'll bet the executives and higher ups at Progress Energy don't have to make payment arrangements on any of their personal bills. How NICE for them!

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