Progress Energy Florida

My due date was May 8th. On May 20th, they shut off my electricity on the hottest day on record. Okay, I messed up, but charge me a late fee. Nope. When we returned home and noticed that there was no electricity, we called PE at 6:03pm. I paid the bill and the $40.00 reconnect fee. Power was restored at 11:22pm. Spoiled food, dead fish, and a hotel bill, all for being 12 days late!

When I paid, I told them that we need the power back on. It was burning up hot. We were going to lose food. They said they had no control over the department that turned power back on. When I told them that I would just simply go turn it back on, they told me that they would know immediately, and I would be arrested in handcuffs within 30 minutes of turning the power back on. What a bunch of money-hungry, egotistical **! I'm not done. There is surely something legal I can do, and I will!

First, when I had just moved in my residence, Progress Energy sent me a nasty letter 4 days before the due date of my first bill. I was threatened with shut-off of electric. Then I called Progress Energy the day before bill was due to notify them I wanted to continue paying through the mail. I did not request a permanent billing from my debit card, so I could avoid any banking charges or errors. I got a letter with additional fees added, and instead of $94.19 that would be paid, now I must pay $124.19 or they will shut my power off and more fees would incur to restore power. Then, I'm injured and disabled, and I try to keep in good standing. I asked for help from my mother and sent the check in the mail through her account.

Then Progress Energy Florida sent the check back to me when it was sent on time, but they now tell me they won't accept any check payments but payment only in money order or cashier's check will be accepted. They returned the check that was on time, and now, late fees would be incurred. I have never in my 51 years of life seen such a nasty, unfair, and uncaring company. If I had other fair options, I would act on them. So I informed them I would be moving. That is why I am leaving because of nasty, unfair, and bad treatment from this Progress Energy.

Before and after my mother's death, I was paying the electric bill at **. She passed on December 28, 2011. About a month later, someone call and said her name needed to be taken off the electric bill. But the house still has family members living there. My sister lives there with her daughter and a nephew and a niece also. My sister has been out of work since October 2011. She is out of work until pending the outcome of her trial. She was denied her unemployment due to the outcome of the trial. Her daughter is in school, so is the nephew and niece. There is no income coming in that household with that amount of people staying there. My mother's Social Security check was helping out a little.

That was the main reason why I was paying their light bill. I live in Tallahassee, FL with my two kids, being a single parent and taking care of my household and helping my family out during this crisis. I call Progress Energy and told them that I could not pay the monthly electric and the deposit (to have someone else's name put on the electric bill due to my mother's death) due at the same time. I asked if I could waive the deposit of $396.00 or put on a payment plan before it was due or late. Two different phone calls to Progress Energy and the employees told me, "That sounds like a personal problem, either you pay or your lights will be turned off."

They turned the lights off and my niece had an asthma attack that very night due to the heat. I had to pay the emergency room $100 that night and borrow $400.00 to have the electric turned back on that night. I am angry, upset and disappointed at Progress Energy on how they take advantage of someone's death to make extra money when no one have control over death and they have no sympathy for a good paying customer. The electricity at that house has never been turned off until now due to greediness.

I am very upset with the attitude that everyone who works with the Medically Essential Program here. I admitted getting behind because of the lady who was helping me take care of my bills, etc. I am on 24 hours oxygen, disabled, and unable to work. I try the best I can. Most of my money goes towards the lot rent where I live. I have friends that help me as much as they can with the power, but when the lady helping me took that money for the last 6 months, we did not know until Progress called stating they didn't care if I was on oxygen and that I should find a new place to live. Well, I have no family and I take care of 2 grandkids that are in middle school. I begged them to work with me and asked for help. They said, "No, find someone else to live with. We will cut you off if you don't pay $3400.00 by Thursday." Well, if we had it we would - I'm just asking for a little understanding.

I have no other means and we are contacting the local church and locations, but we have to wait on the agencies to call back. The people who work in Medically Essential Program said they are separate from Progress and have no supervisors. I don't know what to do, but my one friend pays $100 a week for the last few weeks trying to help. The lady that took my money can't be found by the police. I know you probably hear stories all the time, but the group of 4 or 6 people there at Medically Essential are nasty and don't have any care for human beings, it seems. I just need someone to believe in me that I'm trying to make this all right. Thank you for letting me vent. I'm sorry. I want help to make this right, but I have no where to go and trying to have friends or church and others help me. Please help me make this better. I'm at least trying to get the bill paid and I'm not leaving it. Thank you.

Progress Energy Response to my complaint: After posting my discontent with Progress Energy Florida refusing my personal check as payment and then charging an additional $4.95 processing fee for paying with my credit/debit card, Progress Energy Consumer Affairs personally contacted me and resolved the matter. Thank you very much for you website and thank you Progress Energy Florida for your prompt response and subsequent resolvement of my dilemma with Progress Energy Florida.

Progress Energy Florida refuses to accept my personal check as payment after I canceled my participation in their auto draft payment program. When I paid my bill online via my credit/debit card, Progress Energy Florida charges an additional $4.95 process fee. None of my other utilities, Florida City Gas, FPL, Titusville water department charges their customers an additional fee to pay the bill. How is Progress Energy Florida getting away with this blatant theft of their customers?

A few days ago, we had a power outage for about 3 hours and it took them that long to fix the ** thing, which broke our rice cooker. When I called to tell them the fridge wasn't working, the lady kept on saying you don't have a power outage—you still have power in the ** house. Ok, fine, we did have 3 appliances that had power, but she didn't have to be so rude about it. I also tried to explain that the whole apartment had the same problem and she didn't answer until about 30 minutes into the conversation! We also had a short power shortage in the morning and now our TV is broken!

I will conserve energy as much as possible to save. The lights are off, and I will make sure that nothing is plugged unnecessarily. I made a payment from my bank. The bank confirms the payment was electronically sent, but PE did not apply the payment until I had my bank fax the proof showing when and that there were no error on my part. But I am still having to call repeatedly PE to try to get my $40 reconnect fee and $4.95 phone payment fee credited. I can save so much more than $45 by turning things off. I can just assume that they will increase my deposit on file as a penalty as well, only because they can.

After being a Progress Energy customer for almost 10 years, my husband and I set up electronic payments online, inadvertently forgetting the last number of our checking account number. The first payment was returned from the bank but was listed as "paid" on the Progress Energy site. I received a letter in the mail on Saturday saying that the payment had been returned, that Progress Energy was charging us a $30 returned check fee, and that if we didn't pay by cash, money order or cashier's check by Monday, that our service would be disconnected. I called and spoke with a supervisor and he smugly told me that it wasn't their fault and that I would just have to pay the fees for the mistake. This is certainly not a way to treat customers that have a long track record with your company, but I guess you can when there isn't any competition!

I changed banks. My payment was returned to the new bank because of a digit error. I was not notified. My electric was shut off for 5 hours. I was charged $40 for thoroughgoing the switch back on. Today, I received a letter asking for a new deposit of $790. After 9 years without a single late payment to be held for 23 months. The customer service said, "pay up or we will turn your electric off". They are nasty and uncaring.

I am so upset and disgusted by them! I have had service in the same location for 18 years! I've been on "budget" billing by them, & was paying $383 a month for my 1,600 sq ft home with no pool. In October, they raised my bill to over $500, telling me that I am now "making up" for what I used in the summer months, and that if I wasn't on budget billing, I would've paid over $500 during the summer months. I'm a single mom, and own my home but the bill was just getting so high, I couldn't keep up. I even had to go to Social Services to get help paying for the past due bill.

They disconnected my service twice in the last 6 months, because I just couldn't keep up! I paid $500 one time, thinking I was all caught up, and 2 days later, they disconnect me saying I still owe $287! Yesterday, I got a letter saying they want another deposit of $735! Are they serious? Where am I going to come up with that, on top of my current monthly bill, which is $393 as of yesterday? They offered to make it "easier", by spreading it out over 6 months, making my monthly payment over $500 for 6 months! Are they crazy? I've had the energy audit done, energy wise installed, had all my ducts fixed and getting new insulation, which were all recommended by them, and I still have an almost $400 bill? It's just me and 2 kids! **! It came to the point where I have to decide whether I will pay my mortgage or power. It makes me sick, and we have nowhere else to go!

Why does my bill suddenly, without any announcement, reflect an extra fee called deposit of $440? I have been a customer since 2006. I am 86 and living on a fixed income. What is the meaning of this? Does PE suddenly think they are a bank? They want all their customers to start a savings account? I will pay for my energy usage but they won't be receiving any further deposit from me. My service with PE will be terminated within the next 1-3 months when my son moves me to Virginia.

This month, my wife and I came down with a bad stomach flu. Because we were both very sick, a couple of bills went unpaid. We have been with Progress Energy for 4 years, paying on time each month; large bills I might add, $400 on average. We were disconnected without warning two weeks after payment was due. No notice, no knock on the door. Our home-based business was down; phones off for about 5 hours. Pleading with the employee did nothing. He took off and said I needed a confirmation number of payment.

Unable to call because my home phone is hooked to power, I had to go to my neighbor's house (how embarrassing), all because I forgot the bill this month because of a bad flu bug. That's about 47 payments on time in a row and one payment two weeks late, then a shut off. It is difficult to describe what we had to deal with that day, because it seems petty. However, we have plenty of money to pay our bills, but we were given no quarter and treated in a criminal way by being shut off without notice.

We called on three or four different occasions over the course of a year, because our electric readings were erratic ($350 one month, $450 the next). Customer service was borderline rude, as if they were a collection agency. An auditor never came out to the house on two different occasions that we requested.

In short, this company takes customer service to all-new low. It's the worst electric company I've ever had. (I've been with about 7 of them.) Calling on the telephone is an exercise in humility. I haven't felt this trapped by a company since bad long-distance rates in the 90s.

Side note: I actually paid on the EZPay phone service no more than 5 minutes before our power was cut. I mistakenly didn't write down the 25-digit confirmation number, so when I ran outside after the electric was shut off, the employee gave me the cold shoulder as if I were lying. This company has decided that those who pay on time are barely keeping up their end of the agreement and are treated accordingly. Those who don't pay on time are flat-out criminal.

And a special place in an abundance of mediocrity to the woman in customer service who decided to treat me like a broke unemployed deadbeat. It's a way to continually bring down your company to the level that most people end up perceiving you in the end, anyway. Right on target. Grade D-, only because my power is at least working to where I can write this review.

We moved into a house in Orlando, and was forced to pay a deposit of $300.00, with current good history from our previous provider. After living in a new house, and making payments for 8 months, with still a deposit, we received a bill on the 14th of the month, with payment due on the 14th. The power company came to turn of the power within 2 weeks, and refused to give us time to extend, without payment immediately. This is a company that should not have an exclusive right to provide power in an area, where if there was competition, they would not survive.

My wife had to go out of town, due our daughter's illness, and I did not know the Progress Energy Bill had not been paid, resulting in them disconnecting my utilities. I was at the house when it occurred, and went right to the telephone to pay the utilities and reconnection fee. I was told I had to pay a $325 deposit in addition to the fee. I have been at the same residence for 17 years, and have never had a disconnection. I have been in the area for 24 years and never had a disconnection. They could not tell me if I had ever paid a deposit, because they told me they only go back 1 year in their files. They also told me that if I paid my bill on time for one year, they would repay the deposit, plus 8% interest. Checking with others, I found you must request the deposit, and I guess if you wait longer than one year, they will not have the records.

How many of these deposits go un-returned. The problem is that, I can not buy electricity from anyone else, because they have a monopoly on the market in this area. It's just another big company taking advantage of a good customer. Twenty four years of paying my bill to Progress Energy, and this is what I get. They may be legally right, but they are morally wrong.

Recently, a man from PE broke down my back gate to get the meter. They never called. We have valuables in our yard and live in a low life community. We had to replace the whole casing for the lock. it was literally removed. He knocked down the barricade we had. That is trespassing. They are very rude and they charge mega money so they can break your stuff. I am disabled and this is unacceptable. How many others are there that had this happen?

They're charging me for budget billing when I asked them 6 months ago to stop budget billing. I paid my cost and taxes for instant one bill which was $176.00, and they charged me over $400.00 more than once. Now they say I owe $1059.00 and they shut my electric off and now I'm living day by day with no air clean cloths, etc. Now, what am I to do? I got all my papers, so help me with this please. I pay what I owed and no more.

Our water bill since last 4 months is averaging around $100 - $150, when compared to our neighbors in the building around $10 - $20 per month. One of the building maintenance person had mentioned that there was an internal leak in one of the bathrooms and he fixed it and that was causing such high water consumption and he claimed to fix it, but I guess it never happened.

Upon your advise, we contacted NWP and they did their investigation and everything seemed to be normal according to their report. So we are back that the internal leak is causing the over inflated water bill, because it is impossible for 2 people to consume such large amount of water.

We got the letter from your office stating the water bill was subtracted from the security deposit. I think we need to be credited the water bill amount, since it is error due to leakage. The building management says they do not owe us anything, since the lease is over.

This company is out of control, especially in these tough times. They are a monopoly and they use this to their advantage. When I filed bankruptcy, I had to include them within my petition as the court deemed it necessary to include any deposits I have with utilities. They filed no claim against me and I made no claim against them. They took it upon themselves to close my current account and reopen a new one, without my permission. The new account has a DIP at the end of the account #. I'm guessing this is a code for them to know this customer has been involved in bankruptcy.

I call in desperation noting my bankruptcy was discharged back in Feb 2009. I made a $20 payment on 1/21 and at the same time scheduled the remaining balance of $232.44 to be taken from my bank account on 1/26. I did this via their website. They turned my power off on 1/24. I called on 1/24. Without paying the past due $232.44, there is nothing they can do. I agreed. I was not advised on the $4.95 fee for them to take payment via phone. I was concerned that they would take 2 payments for the past due one on 1/24 and then the 2nd on 1/26 that I had scheduled. The CSR advised to go to the website and cancel the 1/26 payment. I did. But as I looked at what they had scheduled to take on 1/24, it was in the amount of $323.44.

I did not agree to this. I did not have this amount in my bank. I called them freaking out. They advised they would not charge me any ISF fees but what about any fees my bank charges? They said with proof, they would credit my account with these fees. I was fortunate and was able to cover the extra $91. But then they hit me w/ $40 reconnect fee. I'm still trying to get a credit for that.

"Thank you for contacting Progress Energy Florida."

"Please know our payment arrangements are based on several factors including the payment history, amounts owing, when the next bill is coming out, etc. I apologize but based on the account status were not able to offer additional time. We would ask that $210.00 be paid immediately to avoid interruption of service. Please find a list of convenient payment options available to you in the link below: **"

"Should you need further assistance in paying your electric bill, please see the link below for our Customer Assistance Programs: **"

"If you have further questions, please reply to my email. Thank you for using Progress Energy's online services."

I have responded:

"Would you please advise if a disconnect order has been dispatched. I know it has been ordered, but has it been dispatched?"

"I do not know why you all refuse to allow payment arrangements on my account. I believe it is because of my bankruptcy. However, my bankruptcy was discharged back in 2009. We had to reference Progress Energy because we had a deposit on account with you and the bankruptcy court requires all deposits with utilities be disclosed. I do not think you should be able to hold it against me any longer."

"The amount of my bills lately has been consistently lower than the deposit I have on account with you all, so the amount of my monthly bill should not be an issue. My payment history is consistently late, but with Payment in Full. Last month, you all turned my power off, even though there was a scheduled payment for the same week. Then to make matters worse, you all were supposed to take the past due of $232.44, but instead you took $323.44, $91 more than I had agreed to pay. An error on your company's behalf & that I was advised has been documented. I was advised that in ISF fee would not be charged by you all because it was your error and if my bank charged me any overdraft fees, you all would credit my account for them. By God's grace I was able to come up with the $91.00 you all scheduled yourselves to take without my permission and therefore I did not incur any fees, thankfully. But then, you all bang me with a $40 reconnect fee."

"I have never had my power shut off until last month. Times are tough. You always get your money from me. I am on unemployment. I have a wife & 2 children. I am doing the best I can. I beg you to reconsider and accept my payment for the past due, scheduled via your website to be taken on 2/23. Please."

I absolutely hate this company. Please help as they are out of control.

We just signed a contract to rent a house in Seminole County. Our bad luck, our electricity is serviced by Progress Energy. They are requiring a $475 deposit (1900 sq ft house) before they will start service (no return until 23 months of on time payments). The last time I had electricity hooked up by Florida Power and Light, I only had a $150 deposit (1900 sq ft house). Are there that many people not paying their bills that the rest of us get the shaft? I called customer service and they were completely useless. Tom's advice was pay or sit in the dark. When I asked if there were any payment options, his response was that I should use a credit card or borrow money from someone. Great idea. Let's rack up electricity debt. It wouldn't be so difficult to borrow except I just paid a security deposit on the house and water.

What makes this ridiculous is that counties and cities have ordinances, which do not allow you to live in a house without electricity so it is a mandatory utility. Why do the counties allow these companies to do this to their citizens? I have never made a late payment on my electricity and now I feel like am being punished. Why can't this be the next great Twitter/online strike? If all or even a significant portion of their customers shut off their power for one day, it might get their attention. Oh wait. Then they would charge fees and deposits to turn everyone's power back on. What a ** company. I will be moving out of their service area when my contract expires.

I was charged a disconnection fee and called to speak to a representative to dispute since I used easy pay to pay the bill prior to the disconnection. When I got home and called, I was told I was disconnected because the payment I made Sunday night didn't come through until Tuesday at 5 pm. At that time, they put in an order to turn me back on after having me disconnected for five hours. I called and spoke to a Taffy asking for a supervisor and she assured she could assist but through the conversation, she kept over talking me and not listening. After her ranting at me how it was my responsibility/failure that led to me being disconnected, it was too late to get me to a supervisor. She told me she'd have one call me Monday but now I have to wait to speak to a rep for an issue that should have been handled in one call and by a representative with better customer service. It's horrible to run a monopoly on the market and also treat your customers bad as well. I got a call back from a supervisor and she wasn't helpful either and told me I had to wait for her supervisor to call me back.

I have a rental house that is serviced by PE. I just changed tenants. The power was turned off and was asked to be turned on by the new tenants the same day. PE tuned the power off which caused the alarms in the house to go off. Two days later, they have not restored power and the alarms are still going off. It is driving the neighborhood crazy. Children can't sleep for school and their parents can't sleep for work. So I called customer service. I have never talked to such rude and could not care less people. One, Candice, no. **, and the other Monica, no. **. They are a disgrace and should be terminated. At the very least, PE should be charged with disturbing the peace.

I had my lights shut off on 1/25/2012 because I was unable to pay my light bill. I called Progress Energy to explain that I hadn't received my unemployment and I was unable to pay. They told me they couldn't do anything. I explained to them my daughter is pregnant and I have some illnesses (cancer, gallstones and ulcers). I told them as soon as I got my unemployment, I would pay and still nothing.

I have never been late or anything, this is my first time I have had this problem paying anything. I have tried calling the agencies to help me with my bill, it was either if I can't next month then they can't help or the places weren't helping at all. I am hoping for some kind of help. I need my lights put on at least till I resolve my problem. Thank you.

P.S. Yes I have called unemployment to try and explain my situation. But no one wants to help.

I can't even bring myself to call these people anymore because they enrage me. They practice borderline extortion on their customers by requiring deposits when they already have a deposit! I had a $430 deposit on my account, and then 2 years later they decided they need another $140 deposit or they will turn the power off? How can they do this? I'm on a rampage, posting reviews on everything I find because these people are the worst company ever! Seriously, I'm about ready to put a generator in my backyard and go of their ** grid for good!

Awful, horrible, the worst! They are trying to do this to my rental home. I actually have two accounts with them. They are only focusing on this one account because I signed up for it later when all of a sudden a good credit score was not good enough for them. So my other account has no deposit. Strange business practice, if you ask me.

This company has just assessed my account and advised me that I now need a new deposit. My original deposit was $320.00, super high in the first place right? Well now that want $105.00 dollars more, this deposit information and charges are ridiculous. Their customer service is not customer service at all. They offered to put it over 3 month installments, which is apparently more then what a lot of other customers get. But how does this monopoly continue to function? I understand the company deserves deposits on some accounts, but to raise them after service has already been established. That is just ridiculous.

Something needs to be done about this company's policies. They are not in good shape with many Floridians, and I would almost urge people not to move anywhere that they provide service! They are unable to help anyone, and basically put all the blame on the consumer. Get some service skills and new business practices, before someone decides to give you some competition. I will be headed to Tallahassee with this. They are out of control.

Progress Energy is demanding a $560 deposit. This is not for a new service. This is not for a new house. This is not for a new account. We have had service with them for 4 1/2 years. They have never asked for a deposit. Now they are arbitrarily deciding that they want a $560 deposit. You take a deposit if needed before the service and not after. We need this removed from our bill immediately. An employee named Jason, with employee number **** hung up on me just now. It seems that hanging up is their policy as we have been hung up on by them many times. I am an ordained minister, husband of 15 years and father of 4. I am very polite and never swear. They are very rude bullies. We have been very unhappy with their service for the last 4 1/2 years.

Since June 2010, we have had 10 power outages totaling over 44 hours. Most are underground cable failures. I am working on our third engineer who is coming to try to figure out that the equipment is old and failing.

Well apparently, starting new service down in Florida is gonna cost me $165 in security deposit. This is of course with a fico score of 702, no derogatory, bankruptcies, liens, and/or judgments. I have a letter of reference from my current company, DTE, that shows positive payment history with no lates in over ten years of service (60 months on my credit report, which apparently they do a hard pull on).

Their stance is that they are an energy company that bills after usage; they all do that. It is also their policy not to accept reference letters from other utility companies in respect to determing security deposit or starting new service with them.

I agree with the person who said: "Florida Progress Energy has a monopoly in the area, as do other electrical companies, and they abuse their costumers". We are another family, as well who have received very bad services, and poor treatment from a representative of this company. We should do something about it.

We have to get together and ask Florida Commissioners to do something about this company, and give the opportunity to the people to have a choice with other companies. It's illegal and is under "Unfair and Deceptive Business Practice Act". Also can be "Discrimination, Abuse of Power and Mistreatment".

Families suffering, specially kids, from stress, depression and other emotional problems, low quality of living, inhumanity, and the risks of viral diseases.

I sent in payment 6 days before the due date by check. Two days after the due date, I noticed in my account check that it was still not cashed. I called these crooks and asked why they still didn't cash. I was told that it was never received and I needed to pay today or the service would be shut off. I paid by credit card. I asked the service rep not to cash the check when they get it, which I was sure they did. Two days later, I called the bank to stop the payment. Sure enough, Progress Energy had the check and cashed it the very same day I called. I called to complain and talked to the most rude, inconsiderate, low class woman in my life. She said that mistakes happen and deal with it. I asked for her name which she refused to give me. When I asked to speak to a supervisor, she put me on hold for 30 seconds and she got back on the line. She said that no refund of extra payment would be given to me, even 30 dollars and that's it. She then hung up the phone on me. Something needs to be done about this company. The customer service by far is the worst in the country. They treat their paying customers like garbage.

I have a total of 3 large unnecessary deposit on my account. The first was requested ($250.00), due to my account not having an extra digit when making a payment via auto-system 4 years ago (maybe the keypad stuck). Second was requested when the payment was not posted on time through their website. The third was due to me moving 5 minutes away. They said it was based on the size of the house I moved to. And God forbid, I'll be late paying. They can't make a payment arranged because I have deposits on my account. A $40 reconnection fee to flip a switch when the tech never left the premises. Insane. No regulations.

I am consistently denied extensions on my electric bill and no one can give me a clear answer. I normally pay my bill via the internet and I'm not sure if payments were posted correctly. I have never not paid my bill before the extended due date. I really wish someone would take a look at my account and give me a clear reason for these declines! Please help.

We had power turned on in my name for my nephew, who lives next door. His wife previously moved out over a month and had them turned off. Well, she decided to come back and found out what was done and called customer service, had them switched it in her name without my consent. She then was served with an injunction from her husband and asked to turn them off again. We again had the service put back on in my name. How can she legally do this without my knowledge? How many times can PE charge their fees and deposits legally and get away with it? There has to be a stop point! Does this mean that she or anybody can legally have my power switched in their name anytime they want? She is only doing this to cause problems and I don't want to continue to have to pay the reconnection fee and deposits every time she does this. Is there anyway we can put a note on our service that if her or anybody calls to do this, you have to contact us beforehand?

Their transformer blew up and set my pool fence on fire along with my underground sprinkler. When I contacted them to ask for a reimbursement, I was treated like an idiot. When I tried to escalate it and wrote letters to every executive from operations manager up, I was completely ignored. Nothing has ever happened. They never even would acknowledge my existence. They are the worst criminals operating in the US. Their abusive and fear tactics are similar to those of organized crimes.

I have been a customer for years, paying consistently via regular mail. After setting up e-payment on Progress Energy's website, I experienced delays in when my payment is posted and in many instances their website shows "no payment received". My bank records show payments were processed and received. After several calls to customer service with no resolution, I received an email indicating my Progress Energy is ready for payment and they are imposing a $500.00 deposit, making my monthly payment $852.00!

I called customer service again, they indicated that payment was received last month and yet they have no explanation why it is not showing up as "paid" on the website. But the customer service representative was very clear to state that this was not a fault of Progress Energy. They have recommended direct withdrawal from my bank but even though we are setting it up in September, the October payment "might' not be on time.

This is ridiculous! If I am making online payments, my bank shows it is processed, then where is my money going? At a minimum they should perform an audit, taking my bank statements to locate the payments received and not imposing a $500.00 deposit!

My current bill was $292.00. I paid 200 and the balance is $92.00. On Friday, September 2nd, I paid $93.00 online. I paid my bills before 1pm that day. I know because I got paid and sat at my computer that morning and paid all my bills. On Tuesday, September 6th, Progress Energy cut my service at 10:48.am. I know because many clocks in my home stopped at that time. My daughter got home around 5:30PM and she told me we had no power. I called progress energy and they acknowledge that they interrupted my service for non-payment. I told them that I was already paid since Sept 2nd and today is already the 6th. I advise them I paid online -- on their website -- like I always do.

The customer service rep. transferred me to billing/payment so they can process a waive fee. The rep. in billing was rude and arrogant. She stated I should have called and advised that I made a payment, so its my fault the service was interrupted. Therefore, she would not waive the re-connect fee. I told her that all payment methods should be looked at before they come cutting because there are several ways customers can pay. This company is a monopoly and it should be broken up like the phone companies. Customers are at the mercy of this company. They should not be allowed to do this.

The worst customer service there is and this site does nothing to help because they don't listen, help nor call back. What makes anyone think they are going to read this and do any thing to help anyone? They ** and I wish we had a choice of who we can get our power from.

Set my account up to auto draft on 8/30/11. Progress Energy took my money and disconnected my electricity, then charged me a $40 reconnection fee. I have been laughed at and refused to be helped. What a horrible company.

Progress Energy charges a fee of $12.95 to pay your bill over the phone. This is excessive and punitive in nature. On my last bill of $140.00, this comes to just under 10%. This is robbery. Please help!

After their website and phone rep informed me that the bill was scheduled to post on August 18th 2011 through e-bill system, they charged my account on August 4th. As I had budgeted according to the information they provided me, this impacted my bank account. I called immediately to complain. They were rude and argumentative, saying that I had made the payment manually by check. When I informed them that this was impossible as I didn't have checks, they argued with me.

In later calls, they said that I paid through their website and though they had charged me early, their website continued to say that the payment was scheduled for the 18th for weeks.

I filed a dispute with my bank who contacted Progress Energy and determined that I had been charged by mistake and so the charge was reversed. Progress Energy then turned around and charged me a $30 return fee and a $5 late fee for the charge reversal. After several calls to customer service, their representative's support has been argumentative and rude, aside from one Supervisor named Jason who just payed me lip service. They refused to drop the return fee.

If this isn't a monopoly, I don't know what is. This should be illegal.

I called Progress Energy to have new service started. I called on a Thursday at 2pm and went through set-up on phone and was told a deposit was required and if I could make it to a payment location then I could have power the following day. I made payment at 4:20pm on a Friday and waited till 1pm. I called Progress back and after on hold four times, being hung up on twice after holding more than twenty minutes, finally I got through and was told payment was not received until Friday and that they don't offer same day service and it would be turned on Monday.

So enraged, i hung up and called back; I went through 42 minutes of hold and I am told by the accounts specialist that a repair is needed on riser and inspected before turning on power. Why wasn't I told about this from the get go? Progress sucks!

Now, I have to wait for electrician appointment and then 48 hours for inspection. When completed, I am recommended to call customer service and confirm that they have received the inspection verification.

It's Monday now and I am waiting for an electrician. Progress sucks! I can't say it enough.

I've been a customer of Progress Energy for over 10 years. I made an online payment on their website on June 9. This payment did not post until June 14, so they shut my power off.

I immediately called to complain about it, they sent someone out six hours later to turn the power back on, after realizing there was a payment made in their system. I was still charged a $48 reconnection fee and now on my August statement, in addition to the $231 monthly bill, they are demanding a $345 deposit!

Is this legal? This really upsets me because they know they have the advantage over people, since it's not like we can cancel our service and go 'somewhere' else like you can with cable or phone. I feel that I've been taken advantage of.

I terminated service at a property and requested a refund of my deposit. It has been a month since that date and still no refund of my $260 deposit.

Unfortunately, Progress Energy has a monopoly on electrical service and we don't have choices. Where's the solar energy industry? In dealing with this monopoly that can dictate its own rules, I advise anyone to manage your payments to the penny! Never make an overpayment. They don't refund!

I have had the Energy Wise set up with Progress Energy for 10 years in Florida with no problem until today. Today, I thought I was "hot flashing" so I went to my digital thermostat to turn it down a degree, there was no display at all. Weird. So I flipped on/off the inside and outside breakers, looked for a battery in the stat, etc. I went online and typed in the symptom; It talked about faulty connection, bad 3 amp fuse in the transformer or a bad transformer.

So I called my A/C service at $148 for an after hours service call. It was awfully hot and humid in August, so I had to ante in the extra $50 for same day service. Shortly thereafter, the A/C kicked on and the display was back. Within 10 minutes, it was gone again. So the A/C guy came and looked a bit, then it kicked on again. He asked if I had Energy Wise and I said yes, but it never acted like this! He said he had just gotten 5 calls from customers with the same symptoms right before he knocked on my door.

We checked the Energy Wise panel which was way at the back of my pantry behind the water heater. It was lit up like a Christmas tree. They had hijacked all my A/C and water heater power! When I called Progress-Energy, they said they were having brownouts and they took our power for 16.5 minutes. That plus the 5 minute delay to come back on meant that they stole my power for 21.5 minutes. I only had it for about 13 minutes then they took it again. This went on for several hours. They refused to give me a credit on my bill for my false A/C service call of $148 even though they were interrupting my power more than they ever had in 10 years; With no notice, phone call, email or warning. NOTHING!

Then they acted like I should've automatically known to check my Energy Wise box even though their excessive use gave all different symptoms than the energy wise box ever did. So in one day, I paid out 2 years of energy savings. The company admitted to using more of our energy than usual today, but I don't understand why they cannot notify us when this happens so we know not to call for A/C service and incur bills while trying to save money with this program. They have our phone numbers for an auto dialer and our emails for billing and whatnot. I told them to come get the box and unenroll me from the program immediately. I hope enough customers complain to them and that they have to give some kind of rebate for our lost money on apparent A/C service issues.

PE is the single worst company I have ever dealt with. I have two bills - one for an apartment and one for our home. I called them to get an extension for the first time this week. It's not due to having a shortage of funds, it's because my entire purse was stolen in Key West and I have no credit cards, no debit card, and as a precaution, my bank closed all of my accounts. I have no driver's license because I have had to send away for a certified copy of my birth certificate to take to the DMV to get a new license, and my bank will not reopen an account for me without a valid ID. I simply have no access to my money until a replacement credit card comes or I get my driver's license.

I called PE and they gave me an extension for the apartment account, but they refused to give me an extension for my home. I have no idea why and I got some excuse about how the apartment bill is less than $100. My house bill is $192 and they have a deposit on this account of $405.

I am due for shut off today. I called them again today to see if there was anything that anyone can do, and I offered to fax a copy of the police report for my stolen items. I was told that they were sorry but they simply can't do anything to help me and they will be happy to turn on my power once the payment is made. It looks like that and I will be in about another five days, in the middle of July in Florida.

I hate this company and their lack of customer service. It's like dealing with the mafia - pay us or we make your life a living hell.

Progress Energy and all of their employees are a bunch of scumbags! On July 1, 2011 I paid my electric bill after receiving my direct deposit from the V.A. online like I do every month. Unfortunately courtesy of another scumbag company Bank of America the ACH did not post until the 13th. By this time other bills had come out forcing an overdraft and a return "check". This has never happened before and I have been a good customer for many years so I gave progress energy a call to see if there was anything they could do.

The problem I was running into was the current months bill was coming due and it miraculously jumped from an average of 125 to 250 dollars and because of financial hardship I could not afford to pay almost 400 dollars. I politely asked if there was anything they could do to assist me with this rare problem. I was informed that not only would they not work with me at all but now I can no longer pay online or set up an automatic draft to coincide with my direct deposit from the V.A. Apparently this is standard for new accounts under 6 months. I reminded them that I have been a customer for many years and had only moved from one apt to another within the same building.

Apparently moving next door means I am a new customer and now will be forced to make payments at locations that charge fees. This is ridiculous! The American people should not be forced to deal with their constant rate increases and total lack of willingness to assist in a time of need. In the future I think I will pay a fee to the USPS to ship them a box full of pennies for the exact amount!

Power outage from 9am to 2pm on July 14th temps with heat index and humidity in the high 90's. Outage due to 5 hour tree pruning. Are you kidding me, in mid July in Florida?

I was supposed to receive a refund of $340.84 for my deposit paid to Progress Energy Florida. I paid my bills on time every month.

On May 31, 2011, I canceled my membership because I moved to New York City. They told me I will receive a refund by June 21, 2011. I still did not receive any check in the mail. Whenever I call, they tell me they don't know how long the post office would take to deliver mail.

I have an issue with Progress Energy. Just 2-3 weeks ago, I made a payment of $67.83 with my credit card. They said it did not go through. So I asked the lady to try it again. And once again it did not go through. So then I gave her my checking number and finally it went through. And that was that. Then I find out that they charged me 3 times. So I called the bank and asked for a refund of the money that was overcharged, while the company, Progress Energy sent me another bill of $139.39 which I paid. Now they sent me a bill of $499 saying it's for past due balances?! I do not know what to do. I called them and they seem to say I have to pay that amount as a deposit (?). The deposit was made many years ago when I moved into the premises.

My past bills in my old address are so high it's ridiculous. Now I moved. I've been at my new address for a month and my bill is $1600 and they can't explain where all these extra fees are coming from Every time I get a bill, it's something else they are charging me for but I apparently paid it last bill but they keep charging me for the same as in each bill.

On 2/17/11, my electric was turned off due to nonpayment. I received assistance from a community agency, which was recommended to me by Progress Energy, to pay the bill because I am experiencing financial difficulties at the moment. My light was turned back on on 2/18/11. On 2/22/11, I received a letter from Progress Energy stating that because of my credit record at the time I established service with them, they were able to waive my deposit.

But because I have been late a few times and my service was disconnected for nonpayment, they will now be charging me $390.00 for a deposit which will be included on my next bill. I called them and explained that I could not afford to pay that deposit because I am having difficulties paying the bill and cannot afford any additional payments. They, in return, told me that they could not waive the deposit. They could only stretch the payments out over a six-month period at $65.00 per month in addition to my regular monthly bill. I would like to know how they could recommend me to an agency to assist me in paying my bill and at the same time, they are asking me to pay this additional money to them when I am having difficulty paying my regular bill.

I have been with Progress Energy since 1999 and I do not remember ever making a late payment. Payments are usually early. I made a payment of $111.37 via my bank online and I also sent them $836.28 (which was suppose to go to Progressive) by mistake. They received both payments on December 7th (a week early). When I realized the error, I called them (December 8th) and requested a refund ASAP. I called customer service and emailed them, and was given a long story that by law, they and the intermediary bank have 4 to 6 weeks to return my money. My husband called and explained that we needed the money to pay our mortgage and we were assured that we would receive the money in 2 weeks. On January 6th, my husband called again and we were told that the we would receive the money in 6 weeks from December 7th. Meanwhile, I received another bill and I was advised that payment was due now as my credit was in the progress of being refunded. So to prevent late fees, I had to pay $107.55 while I am still waiting on my $836.28. How can this be legal?

I feel as if I am being held hostage by Progress Energy. Even though I have managed to pay my bills by reducing my Christmas spending, this action could have had serious consequences for most people. I am very frustrated and I want my money returned.

I received my bill stating it was due November 24th, 2010. I called Progress to get a payment arrangement to pay by the 3rd of December 2010. The representative assured me that a payment arrangement would not be necessary as long as the payment is made on the account by 12 midnight of the 6th of December. I made a payment on the 3rd and asked the cashier if the payment will post to account and was informed that it would post the same day. I had my suspicions, so I kept the receipt of payment. I got a bill on the 6th of December stating I owed $252.37 and it included a late charge.

I called customer service who connected me to another department without warning and the lady I spoke to on the line called Leah stated that she will not waive any fee. I stated my case to her about and informed her I have proof payment was made on the 3rd, which was before the 6th but she refused to pardon the fees. I am not very happy because I did my part as a customer and yet I am paying for it.

I had attempted to make an online payment as usual to my account on Nov. 30th, one month paid in full bringing my account current. It was not until I met the Progress Energy tech in my driveway on Dec. 7th that I found out I was to be disconnected for nonpayment. No warnings, no notices. They were going to disconnect me on the coldest day of the year (so far), for being 2 weeks behind on my account. I wish I had another option for electricity service and I would switch. But of course, I don't.

Bills were sent to incorrect address while customer was absent for several months. Since customer did not receive bills, they were not paid. No notification was received for termination of service. Customers returned to cold home and had to stay in hotel for several days. Customer service staff were extremely impolite and demanded re-installation fee. After the fee was paid, service was not reinstalled until the following day. Customers are elderly and in poor health and lack of service resulted in hardship and possible health hazard.

Paid my electric bill on October 1st. Progress energy has not given credit for it. I've called several times, faxed receipt twice to them. They say we will get it worked out but I keep getting billed for the amount.

I tried to get an extension of 5 days. I was told no. I have been with the company for two years. I have a $300 deposit on the account from 2 years ago. And I have honored all other arrangements and have never had a check returned etc. They say it is because I asked for two other extensions last years, that they are denying giving me an extension of 5 days! I got no empathy whatsoever from the supervisor! This is a terrible company! They do not care about their customers at all.

I've lived at mu residence for over 25 years. The house was in my mother's name until she passed away in March. I have been paying the Progress Energy bills for almost two years (drawn on my bank account). I refinanced the property in my name. And yet I am considered a "new" customer and forced to give into extortion for a $350 deposit.

We started an account with Progress Energy in June 2010 when we moved to our current residence. I was out of the country for much of the summer, and so did not realize that we were not receiving our bills. Then, on September 9, our electricity was off. We contacted Progress Energy who told us we owed them about $430. It turned out that they sent both the bills and the disconnect warning to the wrong address.

They gave no reason why they did not try to call or email to let us know about the back owed amount. I had the address changed on the account and paid the back balance in full. In late September, we received a bill for $254.36-- $40 of which is for a reconnect fee. I called Progress Energy to appeal this charge since it was merely because the bills were not received that they were not paid in a timely fashion, and merely because there was no warning of the problem that the electricity was turned off.

The customer associate and supervisor were rude and blamed the faulty address on me, accusingly asking why I did not change the address before September 9. I tried to explain that I did not know there was a problem with the address since I gave them the address when I started the account and they changed over the electric so I thought it was fine. They would not listen and insisted that the fee could only be waived for error. I fail to see how mailing the bills to the wrong address does not constitute error. Progress Energy has done its job ineptly and acted rudely.

Lately, I've been getting paid bi-weekly and got pass due bill. We mailed payment on 15th or on the 17th truck comes to door says going to cut service. My wife told him we mailed it. No sympathy had to pay customer service $150.00 by credit card or else! She asked if the rep will you void the check we mailed, which was received on 18th; they can't do that, they wanted to keep the $150.00 check too. My bank told me to dispute the charge. Why can someone tell me I have to pay $30.00 process because I can't afford to pay bill twice and they can't help me avoid it.

I have a duplex in St Pete. I had a tenant that had to be evicted. She did not pay rent for 6 months. I have a new tenant ready to move in, but cannot turn the power on. I called Progress energy and was told that I had to pay $700 to turn the power on. I said that the power bill wasn't in my name, but in my ex-tenants name. They said that the matter was turned over to the investigative dept and would get back to me in a few days. I have been tied to the phone for three days now and could lose the tenant.

This seems to be extortion to me. If I pay my tenant's bill, I set the president that a tenant at the end of a lease doesn't need to pay his electric bill for the last 2-6 months because the property owner gets stuck with it. If I lose the new tenant, then I can't pay the mortgage. I lose either the $700 or I lose a tenant and maybe the property as well. I've been unemployed for 1 1/2 years and can't wait.

I am moving to St. Petersburg and need to set up service. Since electric companies still are allowed to be monopolies, I have to use Progress. I found out I have to pay a $300 deposit to get service. It doesn't matter if I have a decent credit score or that I have an impeccable pay record with previous companies, policy is policy.

Having to pay such a huge deposit in addition to other fees associated with a move hurts. What's worse, Progress gets to keep my money for almost 2 years! I offered to set autopay, but that doesn't matter either. Like I shared, policy is policy in Progress Energy's world.

I have received two estimated bills for June and July due my meter not working properly. These bills were "estimated" at approximately 40% higher usage than my average utilization. My yearly average was 1,555 kwh and the bills were for 2,400 kwh. I called and spoke with a rep who could not provide with any information other than they calculated it off some formula they created to estimate usage. Well that was not satisfactory so I asked to speak to a supervisor. Supervisor, Joe, told me basically the same thing.

When I asked about the "formula" I was told it averaged the heat index and some other unidentified things. They would not explain the formula used. They, however, stated they would put in a new meter then adjust the billing after the fact if my utilization was lower than their estimates. I just don't understand how you could estimate utilization being that high when over the year my utilization has never been over 2000 kwh. These seem like unfair business practices to me especially given they do not publicly release their formula for customer verification. In every other business when your equipment malfunctions, it does not give you the right to charge that back to your customer or overcharge them.

I paid a deposit to Progress Energy in 2004. I finally got the deposit back after years of paying on time. I was late recently on a power bill and now my power bill is over $844. They put a $500 deposit requirement on my bill and it's due next month.

I already have financial problems due to being laid off previously and I am just starting to get on my feet again. This is going to set me and my daughter way back.

After being a good customer of Progress energy for five years, paying on time, occasionally asking for an extension and honoring well the terms of that agreement by paying on time as well, I had the unfortunate situation in making a mistake on my June 2010 payment. I paid with the wrong account number online, the account that I had closed the month before because of problems of fraud, and I had forgotten to take it off the Progress Energy website. I did not realize my mistake after a week later, I received a disconnecting letter from Progress Energy. I immediately called the company to explain my mistake and paid by phone.

Great, problem solved right? Wrong. The next month July, my unemployment check was due to arrive on the 25th of July and the latest date to pay the Progress bill was the July 20. So I called the company and ask for an extension and to my surprise, I was denied, and simply told, that there ws no last month payment, your check was returned. So this month, if you don't pay on the due date, it will disconnect the electricity.

Just like that, "Sorry, that is the way it is." Like they are talking about disconnecting the cable or taking away the washing machine, not about a basic necessity of life, like cooking for my family or providing cool air in this hot summer nights for my elder mother. How dare this company, that made 10 billions in revenue last year, is so worried with my mistake of $270.00 that I only asked for an extension of 4 days?

I can't believe the lack of empathy and careless attitude of this company for their customers. This is an outrage, and we as customers should not allowed it to happen. We should all complain to our senators and to the press. This should not happen, not now, in this economy and not in other times. Electricity is a very essential part of our lives. It should not be disconnect for non-payment for less than 2 months or more. We are human beings, not animals.

My electric was turned off by Progress Energy on July 8, 2010 at about 12:50pm. I thought it had been paid on June 28, 2010 online. When their tech came to turn us off I explained this to him, and call Progress Energy ASAP. I was told that I may have not hit the confirm button online. So I gave them my debit card. I explained to them that my wife was very ill with a terminal illness. The heat could mean death. I called Progress many times to have electric turn back on there. Tech was still in the area. Four hours later in a very hot house no Progress Energy.

They have a $350 deposit and always received payment. My wife's life depends on a fan and air conditioning. They said that we were on a list. I want access to that list. It is now 5pm still no electric. My debit was taken out the bank within seconds. I owe only $250 from last month, June. We must leave the house now because it's too hot. I am using a wireless networked laptop to communicate. I ready need to see the drivers list. This is an emergency. It's now 5:10pm and still no Progress Energy. It only took 1 minute to turn off our electric. This company shows no compassion to the disabled. What has happen to the country I love? Is everything about money? Please help!

On November 25, 2009, I had a tenant who turned the electricity on at my rental for a Dec 1,2009 move in. She never moved in after I held the home for two months doing Hud paperwork and inspections. I called Progress Energy to verify that the electricity was in her name. They verified it and said they could not tell me anything else. I turned the lights and air conditioner on in the house to hopefully use up some of her deposit thinking she was leaving it on until she found a new residence. (I had negotiated her a lower deposit with them) I never heard a word from her and she had cost me now 3 months rent.

I was justifiably mad. Months went by until the end of January,the electric was off. Finally, in April I got a renter. When they went to turn on the power the electric company told them they needed to have the owner call. I called them right away and they informed me I owed then $1048.66. I was shocked and asked why. They basically refused to tell me anything about what had happened as I wasn't the billable customer or last known customer. They said for unauthorized electric use.

They took my number to talk to the inspector from Florida Power who had gone out to the house. He told me in our conversation that the meter tab had been manipulated and the meter was put in shabby and that his personnel would not have done such a sloppy job. I told him the electricity had never been off until the end of January. He verified that he had turned it off at that time after his inspection. At the time, I didn't have the time line because they wouldn't tell me anything. I asked him why it took so long for them to figure this out and wouldn't they want to let the owner know if someone "supposedly" was using the electricity unauthorized. He said he took all the information off my rent sign. He did not nor did Progress Energy get in touch with me nor was I billed.

I went to the Public Service Commission for help. The day they completed their investigation Progress Energy transferred $542.66 to my home electric bill. I paid my home bill excluding the $542.66 and wrote to the executive office of Progress Energy to help as the Public Service Commission said "PSC's inefficacy to provide you a more favorable conclusion to this matter is the result of statutory limitations, not a lack of concern for your situation." I never heard from them so I wrote again. I had to go to great lengths to try to get the phone number. After receiving a Past Due Notice saying if I didn't pay the $542.66 they were going to cut off my electricity at my home on July 12th, I called the executive office who passed my call to someone to set up a payment plan not re-look at the case.

It says in the report they billed me from that address. That never happened and when I called to ask, they verified it had never been billed from that address just immediately transferred to my home bill. I don't feel I should be responsible for any of the bill but at the most the first reading of it.

I don't understand why they left the electricity on for 2 + months when they had no one to bill, why they didn't notify me of this before I got a renter. Now they are hi-jacking me for all the electric service. There would have been 0 consumption if they had done their jobs and disconnected the service when told by non-renter, on first reading or second reading, on and on. The electricity was never disconnected. No one would benefit from hooking the electricity up. It had no one in it. I have never touched one of the meters and I am scared of electricity.

It was clean as no one had lived in it. I would never think of doing that. This is a matter of Progress Energy not doing their job and disconnecting the electricity. They refuse to look at it again even with all the time lines I knew nothing about and the inconsistencies until I got the Public Service Letter. Evidently if the Public Service is not on them they think they can just ** the person.

This was poorly handled and it looks like at the very least ,they would want to know someone is not being honest and taking responsibility for not doing their job. They don't keep records of situations like mine they said. The person who was supposed to have disconnected the electric did not do it then lied about it. One person said why would he do that? I said maybe he was afraid of losing his job. That would be a great reason to not admit it. If the meter was manipulated, it was done by Progress Energy. I know for a fact I did not do anything to it. I mow and actually worked on the irrigation system after that and never was the tag missing off the electric meter. I worked on the irrigation most of December and mowed at least three times and raked the yard before it was disconnected. The Tab was always there and the electric service was never interrupted until it was close the end of January.

Progress Energy refused to look at it. They said The Public Service Commission was their final and I should have got in touch with them if I wasn't happy with the outcome. I did get in touch after and they told me they had done everything within their limitations, not that they thought it should be the way it was. They are just a money hungry Monopoly that won't listen. They want me to pay for their mistake of not turning the electric off. It is a shame we are pushed around by them. We are helpless against them. The Public service hands are tied and it seems like the big boys are against us all. Turning on the lights may have not been nice but I was justifiably mad and had no reason to believe the electricity would be left on when the company had a disconnect order. I would swear on my life that the electricity was never turned off. That is how sure I am of it.

I was working at a company that they were pumping too much energy into and caused fires, then threatened to shut them down. At that time, because of the marquee, an enormous amount of people came in to complain about progress energy. (I won't capitalize it since they do that themselves) But I digress.

My problem with them was a payment issue I tried to correct and they decided that even because it was their fault, they were going to penalize me, because they can. Like a dog licking his **. Again, I digress.

I told them that I had used the wrong account that they 'nickname'. They said, "No, it was fine." I said, " That's impossible." They continued to stick with their story until the payment bounced. The bank charged me; they charged me then threatened to shut off my service if I didn't pay the fee, the bill and put down a $200 deposit by Thursday! They are on a power trip, no pun intended. But they are privately owned and their board should be ashamed to own stock in it. They are a monopoly and the state of Florida needs to step in and offer an alternative power source. I understand we all have to pay our bills but to have electricity shut off before it's even 30 days overdue is ridiculous, especially when they have a deposit now! In this economy, everyone is hurting and they are just adding insult to injury.

Our electric bill is over $500/month for a home of less than 2000 sq ft with 2 adults. We had an energy audit by Progress Energy; insulation is fine and nothing out of the ordinary. A compression test was done on our A/C system to repair any attic leaks. We also replaced the heat pump and water heater, and we have Energy Star washer/dryer. We do laundry only once a week. We have no pool or spa. And we cook on the grill more than the stove.

Last year, a new meter was put on the house; our electric is through the roof. The company said it can't be the meter and that it can't be that someone has tapped into our electric (single family home); it has to be our fault. I have spoken with others on various (including Progress) energy companies their bills with larger homes, more people and pools; and their electric runs $200/month less than ours. Getting to the point, we can't afford electric. We contacted a solar company, and they said it would not be worth it until we find out why Progress is charging so much because we could not sell energy back to them.

I had a fire last march and had everything replaced. Progress put a new meter in and 4 months later came to tell me that they were reading something wrong and I end up paying over $1,000 for their mistake. Now they only come to read my meter when they want to shut me off and my bill's are higher now then ever before and I don't even have AC in all my rooms. I have 2 in two rooms, that's it. No one wants to look in to this for me.

My light bill went up by $100 and I called to find out why. The supervisor was extremely rude from the beginning stating this is my first summer bill and that's why it's higher. I advised her I live in Florida and last month was summer and my bill was very low. She said it has to do with how hot it is outside and that's why. I advised her it's been this hot since March degree wise as I live in Florida. She then said look it up. It's a scientific fact. I became irate as I felt she was trying to degrade me with her comment and the way she delivered it.

I advised her that I have looked in to it and have read everything on the website and her response to that was, "Oh well, maybe you need to change to a different energy provider." Seriously? I hung up on her. I wish I would've remembered her name but I don't. But I am pretty sure she put notes in to my account. It really worked me up and it was a total waste of my time and my minutes on my cell phone. I guess I just have to pay whatever it is they say even if I am not using that energy, huh?

I'm a long term customer and I have a newborn child in home. I paid my bill every month. When they send me my shut off notice, I pay in full every time. I don't know why I do but I do anyway. I paid the other day on the 19 and 5 days later they shut it off for unpaid 50 dollars that I mistook on the bill when I paid. I have money now and had to pay 50 to restore service/ that is not right when you have a newborn that depends on electric. It should be against the law to shut off services if you can prove you have a newborn or child under 5. In Massachusetts, you can't shut their service off if you can prove. Now they are gonna charge me for the 50 dollars and then tack more money to my bill to scam me for their mess up, when if you was late or short on bill, you can always make arrangements to pay it and still have service when I paid more then half.

My husband and I moved into the Orlando area in February, and we became Progress Energy customers. We moved to the area because we weren't able to make enough money to pay our bills in Alabama, and we were getting too far behind. We're making enough now, but we're still trying to slowly catch up on our debt. My husband has paid our bills online each month. In April, he made our payment before the due date for $100.89. We were on a tight budget, and we had about $200 in our account. A few days after making the payment, we realized the payment had gone through twice after we had spent most of the remainder of our money on food and gas. So we had $175 in overdraft fees.

We called P.E. and told them that they had debited our account twice, but they did not care and they just blamed it on us. They said, their computer doesn't make mistakes, and it was a human error by us. They told us that we submitted it twice. We know we didn't do that because there are several steps to go through to make a payment, and you have to push more than one button to do it. They refused to do anything. The only thing they said they would do is mail us a check for the extra payment. We told them we didn't want it because our next payment would be due by time we got it. They would not credit the money back to our bank account.

We went to our bank to see if they could do anything, and they told us to fill out a debit dispute. The bank pulled the extra payment from P.E., still leaving our account current. A couple weeks later, we got a letter from P.E. saying that they were shutting off our power that day if we did not pay them for the $100.89 payment that was taken out plus a $30 fee for the return. We called them and told them that the money taken out was only for the extra payment, and that we don't owe anything until the end of May. They said we should not have gotten the letter, but they will not remove the $30 fee for the returned money that they were never supposed to take. They just kept telling us it's our mistake that caused all the trouble because their computers don't make mistakes. They would not take any blame even though they obviously do make mistakes since they accidentally sent us that letter.

This has cost us a lot of money that we really need right now. It's very frustrating knowing that we have to pay them whatever they want because we can't get power from anyone else. They can get away with whatever they want and they know it.

When my father moved into the home he now owns, he was a renter. The electric bill came in the landlord's name and my father paid the bill. This was over twenty years ago. The bill was never changed into my father's name because, honestly, he couldn't afford to put up a deposit. The former land owner didn't mind because my father always paid his bill on time. Well, the former land owner moved out of state. My father tried to get the power disconnected and reconnected in his name, but was told he couldn't. The bill never came to my father's address, so, he had to start calling the automated number to find out how much to pay.

This went on for several years, until progress energy changed their automated line. Now, for the past two years, he has had to guess at what to pay because without the social security number of the man whose name is on the account, he can't even get payment information. We have no way of contacting this man. So, we've tried several times to get someone to let us change the account into my father's name. It has always been the same story, if you're not the person whose name is on the account or an authorized person, they won't help you.

Well, yesterday, they came and disconnected his service. My guess is that he underestimated his bill at some time or other. Anyway, I immediately got on the phone and tried to do the right thing. But they wouldn't give me any information about how much money was owed or anything. So, now this man has an outstanding bill in his name that he probably doesn't even know about, and my father can't pay it because they won't let him. And when I tried to explain the situation, I was put on hold for 45 minutes, after which,I hung up and called again. This time I spoke to another person, who told me that progress energy didn't even serve that address, and gave me the number to another utility company in the area.

When I called them, they told me that they were a water company and that progress energy is the only electric company that services that area. So, I spoke to another progress energy representative, who told me to try going by the meter number instead of the address. So, tired of being put on hold and dealing with rude people, and people who didn't have a clue. I decided to try going online.

I put in the meter number, and the wrong address popped up. I tried to change the address in the little box, but it wouldn't let me. So, I decided to try to go forward anyway. Now, I'm not even sure it was my father's power that was supposed to be turned off. I'm still waiting to hear back from progress energy, to find out if they will reconnect the power. They are supposed to contact me within 24 hours to collect a deposit. But I haven't heard anything so far, and it's been 22 hours now. In the meantime, my father is without power. And, I'm feeling very frustrated and helpless.

I have been a customer of Progress Energy Florida for over 7 years. I missed a payment last month, They cut off power. I called instantly and paid over the phone. It was back on in one hour, no problem. However, a week later, I received a letter stating that they require a $420 deposit on the next bill due and they get to keep it for 23 months as long as I pay on time. They never warned me of this in any fashion. How can they throw a surprise deposit on long term clients and for such a large amount?

Is that legal? It sounds like strong arming citizens who depend on power to live/function in the Florida heat. How can they demand large sums of money as a deposit from long term clients? They're causing undue stress. Why should I need to worry about money and power at such economic hardships? I have no employment. I am relying on domestic partner who also lost a job and we are living off mutual funds that had to be cashed in just to pay mortgage and food since employment cannot be found. How can a higher deposit be demanded than they demand from 1st time customers? I've been with them a long time.

My husband recently had a liver transplant and is disabled so I went to get help for the past due. However, someone didn't do his/her job and nothing was done. Progress Energy said that the power will be shut off on Monday. They don't care. Is it legal to shut off the power on a disabled transplant patient? Please help. I am not able to work and am waiting for my hearing.

The electric at my apartment was already on before I moved in. I called Progress Energy on the 3rd of February to have them transfer the electric into my name on February 5th. They said that because my last name did not match the last name on my credit report, they could not help me. I find this funny because the electric at my last residence was in my current name and Progress Energy was the provider. Anyway, my mother put the account in her name instead, which was fine by me because it saved me from having to give them the $285 deposit. Three and a half weeks after moving into my new apartment, Progress Energy turned up and shut off my electric. The man said it was due to non-payment. I still had not even received my first bill yet!

When I called them, they said they made a mistake. They thought they were shutting off the electric on the previous residents of the apartment who never paid the last bill nor did they call to say they moved out. All I got was an apology for my inconvenience. They said they cannot give me a discount on electric that day nor will they waive the $28.00 connection fee from my first bill. If I refuse to pay the $28.00 connection fee (even though they never had to connect it because it was already on), they will come turn off my power. I paid my entire bill as far as electric service but because I refuse to pay the connection fee, they will shut it off. How is this legal?

I paid for services provided but I refuse to pay for a service they did not provide especially when they wrongfully turned off my power. Obama, where are you? Stop letting these companies bully us. It is getting to be like England over here now! Let's screw the little people because we financially can? Maybe I need to move back to England where it is cheaper!

We are building a house in unincorporated Marion County that was scoped out between Sept and Nov 2009 with a promised move-in date of April 1st 2010. The engineer assigned to that area spoke with our builder and said it would be no problem to run the line over the road and put a pole on our street. Between then and now, two other engineers were assigned the project and now I believe we're back to the original one again, so that's four changes of field engineers in four months.

How do they get anything accomplished? They never answer the phone when our builder calls and he waited almost two weeks in February until he personally had to go to the physical office and they told him for the first time that we had to sign an easement to allow them to put a pole on our property. Fine, okay, I can do that. Why didn't they ever mention this to our builder? He deals with them all the time. This was now March. I had to drive an hour to get the paperwork notarized on the weekend when my husband could sign it then I hand delivered it to the office it needed to go to so they could proceed the next day.

It took at least two weeks to get them out there to do any work and finally put up some poles and then last week finally the wires and transformer. At this time, the engineer promised our builder that we would have power by April 1st at the latest. Today is April 2nd I have no power and no answers. We got approval from the county to hook up our permanent power on Tuesday. The order was put in on Wednesday and they said that it could take one, two, three business days, but since Friday is a holiday, they won't be open but people "may" be working in the area. I called three times on Thursday but they could never tell me if we were in queue and claimed they had "no way of contacting" people in the field. How do you dispatch and run a business then? Plus, the order for temporary power was put in weeks, if not, months ago, so I should only have to worry about switching from temp to perm, not getting anything in the first place.

I am so frustrated and angry. I am moving out of an apartment and have only a certain window to move my stuff. I rented a moving truck and have to know if I have to cancel or not. The job they have to do will take an hour or less work, running the wire from the pole to the house and hooking up the meter. I haven't seen a single truck in or around the area ever. My patience is gone with this company and from the complaints other people have about the fees and can only imagine what's in store. I had this company once before in Orlando so hopefully it won't be any worse than it was then but they're off to a great start.

This is only made worse because of the wonderful service I got from the phone company, Centurylink, who buried wire for my internet a month ago, buried the wire to my house before my driveway was poured (which they don't normally do until the install date) without me having to call them back about it and called me several times to make sure everything was going well! They even installed our box and turned on our service April 1st when it was scheduled! At least I have phone and internet service! I took off work for this and my husband will have to take a day of his vacation because we can not move as scheduled. I have to cancel a moving truck and have no guarantee there will be one available when I actually have power, which I can't even schedule because I don't have a guaranteed date.

Florida Progress Energy has a monopoly in the area, as do other electrical companies, and they abuse their customers. They charge arbitrary fees and can demand a deposit be placed on the account after 7 years of service. One of the customer representatives bragged on the phone that the company has disconnected electricity services on accounts for at little as $2 being owed. This is regardless of the customer's good history of paying their bills or whether there may be someone with health risk in the household. They then charge late fees, reconnection fees, and a substantial deposit of as much as $430. They do it because there's no competition and you cannot simply hire a different company for service. This is a monopolistic abuse of consumers.

Additionally, there are numerous additionally charges, two Customer charges.

Now we have to pay to be a customer! In addition there is yet another energy charge and fuel charge, how many times can they charge for energy and fuel? Not to mention the fact that they apparently charge for rental of the meter! What else could an equipment rental fixture charge be? Additionally, what is there to maintain that is worth $1.58 a month? A Rate Adjustment charge? Aren't they charging enough already!? Then for the taxes, there is a Gross Receipts Tax, what is that? Are we having to pay them to pay them? Not to mention the Municipal Franchise Fee, Municipal Utility Tax, and, my favorite, the Sales Tax on Equipment Renta! This company is totally out of control. Where is the State? Don't you care that citizens are being robbed on a monthly basis by a money-hungry power company?

We currently rent and our landlord passed away. Our landlord had been responsible for paying our electric and water bills for the entire length of our lease. After his passing, I called the electric company to get service in my name. They charged me a $285 deposit, which is a little high but so be it. They also charged me a $34.95 connection fee, but no one came out or did anything. The real concern I have is Progress Energy started my new account in my name as of December 3, 2009. I tried to dispute this, but they said it was the only way. I just now set up the account on January 26, 2010.

Is it legal for them to go back like that? They started me off with a $190 bill from December, which is supposedly from my landlord's service which was in his name. Is this even legal? I have a very limited income and think it is not right. Right now, I paid $285 for a deposit for my electricity and they want an additional $190 for a past bill on my dead landlord's account. This is taking away from my ability to pay my rent next month. I feel like they are robbing me.

Well, in this already bad economy, I rented a house close to the college that my twins (yes, I said twins) "double tuition" will attend UCF. Progress said because of my poor credit (that's news! Even Citi Ccorp needed a bail out plan) they would have to have $595 deposit before they would turn on my electric. So, after four days, I raised the deposit money and called them. I never had a problem getting through. Now, they have my $595 deposit, they said they would be out next day to turn on electric. It is 3:00 on the day it's supposed to be on and still no electric. I've called them 6 times to talk to a "live person" to find out what time we can expect to have electricity and all I'm getting is, "An operator is unavailable. Please try your call later!"

Now that they have my $595, they don't feel I'm priority? That's not fair and it's bad business! This is my life and I am entitled the respect they gave me when I paid my deposit. Bad business! I called xxx-xxx-xxx (which is the # I called before and had no problem getting an operator). I pressed 1 (for home account), then 3 for new service, then 1 to start service, then 1 (at existing location), then I was on hold. Then it said, "From now on, you can speak your answers," then I said, "Operator." And then it says, "Connecting," then it states that an operator is unavailable, "Please try your call later" and twice it didn't even say that. It just disconnected me! For an electric company to have that much power (no pun intended) over the public that they can hang up on people is wrong! No customer service whatsoever. I'm outraged!

Progress Energy Shut my x-wife and daughters electric off just in time for Christmas. They say they shut it off November,19th and she reconected it. She has not lost power at all untill now. Now thy want more than she can afford to get it turned back on. Does she have any recourse? Loss of all Christmas food, time from work, stress to daughter and self at Christmas. No funds to get it turned back on.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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 its 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.

BUT, they continue to refuse to show me written proof that this debt is indeed mine.

They are acting against FL law!

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.

Something very fishy going on here and I plan on getting to the bottom of this!!!

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.

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.

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!

how can progress energy shut off power to a woman who has a statement from dr that survival rate is less than 24 hour on oxygen also the lift chair and hospital bed bill averaged 500.00 owed 2 months a woman lives in ahome for 49 years and hasnt established when i placed my mother in a nursing home i went thru agency after agency and when i shut the account down like i was told progress energy said i would have to come up with another 600.00 deposit it felt like extortion it was the worst 5 weeks of my life i am a caretaker of a paralized woman which meant i couldnt work where does a person go these laws have to change when they put money over the lives of human being and these agencys churches give money to why isnt it there for the needy dont know how many times i was blown off to 211 they just pass the buck i had to go to the upstairs office of urban league after being turned away numerous time he actually got some wheels turning funds are available on first only no one answers phone and on the next day we booked over 500 appts never 399 0r 501 stop passing the buck were are allready having our minds murdered by the corperations enough is enough

So we did on the same date the letter came.And they told me that if the meter is not working they well charge from last year bill. If they can see the meter numbers how could the charge for a bill with out seeing the meter numbers thats very wiere. I f they dont"t have number how could they charge. They trying to cover then self for the error they made.Is not fair what they doing to everybody in florida everybody has a complain with progress energy.I paid my bill last year and it was for almost 265.00 dollars.And thats what they want to charge me again for a estimated. A meter that they didn't see the numbers how can you sent a bill if you don"t have a number meter. You can not sent a bill with out the meter number.Is a rippe off

I was on the equal payment plan. I pay the same each month. I was sent a letter last month stating that if I was late on my payment I would be removed from the payment plan. I received my bill an dit was due 7/3/2009. I went online and paid my bill on 7/3/2009 as it was due on that date. On 7/10/2009, I received a statement saying I was late on my payment, therefore I had been removed from the program. I called Progress Energy on that day and was advised that "it is general knowledge" I should know I would be taken off the plan. I asked if I was notified of terma and conditions, he said no, it is "general knowledge".

I asked why I was taken off the plan when I was not late. The payment was made on 7/3/2009. He stated the payment did not post until 7/6/2009 due to the holiday. I asked why have a due date on a holiday? He said it was "general knowledge: to pay ahead of time when I knew it would be a holiday. I pay my bills on Friday, the 3rd was a Friday.. He stated I should have paid ahead. My arguement is I was not late, I paid on the due date.. He said he could not grant me an extention and I would have to wait 12 months before I can be placed on the plan again. I cannot afford to pay amount of bill in full, that is why I was on the payment plan.. My lights will be cut off on 8/6/2009 due to the fact I cannot pay the entire amount of 260.96. I have two small children, however they do not seem to care.

Progress Energy insisted on my providing them with my Social Security number in order to start electric service in a rented townhouse on behalf of my daughter, an NCSU student. I explained that I would not give them that number but I could provide other information. They were going to hang up when I asked for a supervisor. After several minutes the same person said the accounting department would take my drivers license number and state instead of a SS#. It is clearly illegal to insist on a SS# for electric service and I want them to cease and desist this activity.

Somehow the eBill account that I had setup to pay my bills automatically was setup with the incorrect account #. I received a letter stating that I had been removed from the eBill service and was not eligible to enroll for one year, and was now forced to pay by cash, money order, or cashier's check at one of their cash advance pay stations.

I had tried to prove to them that the account # they had on file was nowhere near any account # I had or ever had, and that a mistake had been made and I was now paying for it. I explained that I really prefer, insist actually, to pay all of my bills via eBill, and having to pay cash was an insult and a huge inconvenience. The call center supervisor I spoke with said there was nothing anyone could do for one year, and they refused to accept they made a mistake and correct the issue.

I am irate with the lack of attention, service, or empathy I received, and the utter refusal to help me, a customer, rectify an issue I had nothing to do with. I can easily prove that I have no bank account with the account # they have for my account, and my bet is that the old tenant's information was somehow slipped into mine.

Now, I have to visit an ATM and travel to an undesirable cash advance establishment in an undesirable location, just to pay my bill that my bank account is fully capable of handling. I cannot pay by check or, credit card, or bank transfer electronically. I travel extensively and rely on my electronic payments to keep my bills paid, and this will certainly cause an issue should I forget or be out of town for an extended amount of time and they shut my electricity off.

In 12 years, we have paid our bill on time. Lately, we are having financial trouble and the electricity was turned off two times. We are up to date with our payments but they are threatening to shut our power off if we do not pay them an extra $510! We just barely make the payments alone. I have an autistic son at home, who does not deal well with all this. Can they do this even though we are up to date with our payments?

I called about my electric bill. It was $206.38. It was over $100.00 higher. The reason given was I had a bill for $85.11 that I did not pay. Normally, I would get my bills by mail but had paid the last one on time by email. I did not receive the email for $85.11. The new bill came in for $206.00. When I called I was told to check my meter, the climate in the area was higher, etc. What garbage. Then I got transferred when I said I will not pay a $5.00 extra fee for being late and I have been a good customer since 2001, never paying late!

So then I get this woman who has a could-care-less attitude and also refused to even acknowledge me maybe getting back my $5.00. They really do not care. I have been out of work for quite some time and this annoying conversation did not help. I deserve to not be charged $5.00 for something that was not my fault, plus to be insulted by employees that are just sitting down getting a check and could care less about who they are talking to on the phone. Is there no compassion anywhere anymore? Whatever happened to "love thy neighbor as thyself"? They can have the $5.00 if it's so important. This is a real strain on me. Why my electric was so high? I really don't know when a house across the street from me can run A/C with 3 people for only a $10.00 difference than mine and I am one person.

Progress Energy's intention to raise prices by 24% is ludicrous in these tough economic times and highly irresponsible. It is a prime example of lack of competition and abuse of power. Our government needs to be proactive in protecting its citizens and correcting this travesty!

What if I had a family member on a oxygen machine? How can they decided to shut off power without telling me? I know businesses and people that owe $1000 and are not shut off! My total new bill is $160 and the rest I owed was $170, come on. They know that families are hurting and now just want to make things worse by shutting them off with no warning at all. I think this is absurd! Whats worse is I have NO CHOICE in going with another company. So they will be able to treat good people like crap because we cannot do anything about it. We need more choices! I thought that having a monopoly was illegal these days.

Then Mary from claims called stating that it was a surge problem then she read the notes and noticed I already talked to them and changed her story and said she wasn't going to help us and I explained what to worker said when he came out and she stated that the tress are my problem and I told her they were not from my yard. She then said that the A/C was not there problem and there was nothing they were going to do even though I have had the surge protection since 2003 and never had to use it till now. Everybody in the company has a different story and they keep changing meanwhile my family consisting of a 2yr old, 6yr old, myself, husband and brother had to go with out A/C untill August 19 because of them. When the A/C company came out they said it was definitly due to the power surge, all the wires in the A/C and the breakers were fried and had to be replaced. $167 to repair the unit. I have paid $6 dollars a month since 2003 for the surge protection and they will not even cover this damage.....

Well, they never sent the new bill. When the last day to pay the bill came up I called and asked them why the new bill had never arrived and they told me their records don't show any information about a new bill needing to be sent and they told me that if I didn't pay the first bill they sent me plus $5.95, to pay over the phone, that I would be charged a overdue fee. So not only did I never get a new bill. I also had to pay the old one plus $5.95.

I had an electrical blow out on Feb.14th of 2008. I called Progress Energy, and Mr. Joe Belton came and temporarily repaired the problem. He gave me a short report stating the problem he found. It stated that an under ground neutral 3-wire cable went bad and that someone will be out in 1-4 days to fix it. I was also given a card to call the claims department. I spoke to a Mr. Bruce Alan in which he says I have no claim.

The physical damage was that I have a few electronics that were damaged due to this bad cable that belongs to Progress Energy. I would like to know where do I go from here, and what should be done? This is the second notice I've sent.

For the past 5 years we have had a problem with power going on and off several times a day, several days a week. When we call about the problem, they send a represenative out with excuses and stories ranging from squirrels playing with nuts on the wire to landscapers damaging equipment.

Always a promise to research and fix the problem. There is never any results. As of today (4-16-2007) still experiencing exact same problems as the last five years. The linemen that come to investigate the problem recommended that we get in touch with consumer complaint. Shawn Carroll (Power Quality Specialist)recommended you. He explained to me that there is a filtering system for Complaint calls that screen out multiple calls before it gets to him (Shawn Carroll), then he has to explain to the consumer why Progress Energy does not want to spend their money for tree trimming and upgrading equipment. So basically, his position is to appease consumers without spending any money.

this all started when i set payments on the internet to pay my electric bill..well when i closed my checking account they kept charging me charges for an electronic transaction.now its gotten out of hand and i cant catch up with my bill...all they do is push computer keys how much work could they have to go through to charge customers so much money..