Southern California Edison Reviews

We explained that our usage was far beyond all historical norms on the account, and they responded that it was on average five degrees warmer this year, so the bill and usage was accurate. We told them that we were unsatisfied with that answer as we have a strong belief that there is a problem as our usage was so crazy with no change in lifestyle. The provided another phone number to call. We called the number provided. That representative told us that our meter was fine and that we could schedule an electrical audit where they would check our appliances. We know that our appliances are fine, so we declined and again requested that we have our meter checked. They said that our meter was fine and they considered the matter resolved if we refused the energy audit.

We scoured their website for information regarding getting our meter checked, but we couldn't find any way to request. They offer a "contact us" form whereby they will respond to requests by e-mail. I submitted a request to get my meter checked using that form. While on their website, we noticed they have this "support chat" function where you can contact someone for support. We attempted to use that, and while chatting requested to get our meter checked. The chat support person indicated that in order to get my meter checked, we would have to call. The number provided was the original number we had already called. We knew we would get nowhere with that number as that is where we began this circular journey.

Three days later we received an e-mail from our submission that said it was noted on our account that our complaint had been resolved in a chat. First off, it was a simple request, not a complaint. Second, there has been no resolution. Now this has become a complaint. Looking here on Consumer Affairs, there are multiple complaints of overcharging from Southern California Edison due to the introduction of Smart Meters. That tells us there is a systemic problem with SCE and their meters. Yet, we cannot get SCE to come out and perform a simple test of our meter. Google searches indicate that this is not just an SCE problem, but a problem with Smart Meters in general. However, our complaint is specific to the total lack of any relevant customer service response by a legal monopoly that provides a necessary resource such as electricity.

SCE charges substantially more than our local neighbors using the city provided utility service. We are unable to receive service from any entity other than SCE. I am one that would always support private industry over a government entity in performing a function, such as a public utility. However, I also support consumers to have a choice. SCE has a legal monopoly and with their use of Smart Meters they are overcharging customers and refusing to investigate their own possibly faulty equipment that generates those charges. That should be considered a crime as much as it would be if I stole electricity from them.

Our usage is being calculated beyond any historical or logical usage we have had, and as such it appears that they are stealing from us with a defective measuring device. Yet they refuse to check it. That is all I want - is for them to check their measurement device. They refuse. They say it is working fine without even checking it. How is that possible?

First: on the website, it would only process our payments via bank accounts. Oookay. But then it would take up to a week for the payment to go through and at least once, they took so long to take the money out, we thought it had been paid. In addition, we were told no payments could be taken over the phone. Oookay... I've never seen a company that makes it so difficult to pay instantly. And no, getting and mailing a money order every time isn't feasible for us considering where we live considering we usually pay part of our bill every week. The only reason we got behind was because of the difficulties processing payments after the payment center closed.

So my boyfriend tried to set up payments but the automated system would only let him extend the due date to a week ahead and then only if he agreed to pay everything... the past past due ($6), the past due ($190) and the current bill ($170). Well, no...we can't afford that. So my boyfriend wakes up to find there is no power. We never got a shutoff notice and the only phone call we got was a week ago but they never left a message. We, thankfully, had enough to cover the amount they demanded to turn the power back on, but this whole mess could have been avoided if they didn't make paying so damn difficult. I also take exception with being forced to pay a fee to pay my bill (a la money order and third party payment centers) since the normal ways (payment center now closed and no credit cards) are unavailable. Just makes me want to get solar panels and a windmill... then I can make them pay ME for the surplus.

In 2009 my mother-in-law died. Now presently, I am a disabled senior and my husband was working till 2013 till he had Spinal Surgery and suffered a Stroke, which caused him to be partially paralyzed and brain damaged. Before that, we were having a hard time paying bills, because his mother was no longer alive to chip in, and my husband was laid off from a Aerospace Company due to the economy and had to drive a transit bus, which paid considerably less money. Then our dog was paralyzed due to a stray dog attack. I would constantly have to make payment arrangements and I was trying to figure out how we could do this in our financial situation, especially, since we were almost losing our house, because my husband had to change the home loan to his name and we had a adjustable rate, which kept going up, so we could not afford to pay our mortgage.

I went on the SCE website to get on the CARE program and Medical Baseline. They would only do it if we change our account to our names, even though I called them in 2009 to tell them my husband's mother died. This whole time I already thought we had the CARE program, because I just filled out the paperwork and I was paying $75 a month, but still owed about $300. When I filled out the Medical Baseline, we were told that we needed to pay $215 for a deposit. I could not understand, because my husband paid a deposit in 1996. They said there was no record of a deposit and since we changed "the first name" on the account we owed the deposit. We did not have the money, we borrowed the money from our neighbor, but it was cash and after 5:00 pm, so no payment place was opened. They shutoff our power for 5 1/2 days and we just went grocery shopping.

We had to walk around the dark, my husband fell and I had to search for flashlights in the dark, so I could change my dog's diaper. Finally they turned it on when we had a attorney from HELPS a place that charges $30 a month to help with other issues and not utilities. When they turned off the power, we thought everyone's power was off. My husband who can barely walk or speak went out to see why it was shutoff and a meter woman was outside turning our power off. I was inside changing my dog's diaper and our door was opened. All I heard was a woman screaming. My husband was begging her not to shut us off and we were going to call SCE. She said it was too late. My husband ask her name and she refused to give it to him.

My husband said she is calling the police. I asked him why and he said that she got angry when he asked her name, so she said "what do you want to do? hit me" - my husband said that is why he came inside, because she was acting all crazy. Next thing we knew, the Sheriff was at our door. After he spoke to my husband, he told him do not worry about it and he left. A Raphael ** a review manager, said because my husband threaten a SCE employee, that he would not have the power turned on. Then a Nina from Consumer Affairs with SCE said if my husband went down to the Sheriff's station and signed a paper stating he will never talk or touch a SCE employee then they will turn on the power.

I told her the Sheriff already came by and decided nothing happened. Then Mr. ** wanted us to go down not to our Sheriff's Dept. but another Sheriff's Dept. which was 15-20 minutes away and it was already 4:30 pm and we would never make it by 5:00, the time they wanted us there. He finally called us back and said my husband just had to make a statement on the phone regarding the "incident". There is so much more, but we finally got power after the 5 days. But, the strange part is our bill became over $1600.

They wanted us to pay $125 a month towards the $1600 and our regular bill of around $165 a month. How can we pay $290 a month when we are behind our mortgage, other utilities, and our car payment. I have been trying my best and then the car was repo and we are being threatened to be foreclosed on, plus the Gas Company almost shut us off. We called the Public Utility Commission and they would not help. We got a email yesterday stating "sorry your husband is not doing well, but if you do not come up with $1200 by June 27th, then we will shut you off." I really like the part about how sorry they are about my husband.

We live in the high desert, Santa Clarita. We've planted trees around his place to provide more shade which that helped. But, my point is – with the solar panels... the way that SC Edison does their tiered usage accounting... there's no explanation of when our bills are going to be high or? I only hope that the powers that be... can bust these crooks and or at least get some transparency and clarity on the billing. With our solar panels we immediately saw low monthly bills but, it's all a joke. We got a bill for the difference after 12 months of paying $2-$5 a month of over $2,500 for the extra tiered charges that Edison does to you. So, with our monthly payment for the solar panel system, we're paying the same price for electricity as if we never bought the panels.

Whatever politicians, power czar crooks who are doing this to us. Please... we need to find the right and honest person to get these crooks under control. It's become a joke. I get it. A guy should be able to make a profit. But, not at the cost of what's going on today here in California. And you wonder why the anger with how our system is today with our citizens. It's not going to get better. They say our power costs will continue to rise 6%-8% annually. Why? They're not re-investing their profits into our power grid to make costs go down... only to stuff more dough in their pockets.

Neither my business name or address is on the bills I'm getting! Meanwhile, I'm receiving bills with incorrect balances with late notices being sent for bills with the incorrect balances - who knows what that's doing to do to my credit! Stop the automated system for a minute and fix this problem before you ruin my new business Edison! I can't afford to have my doors closed while I spend hours on the phone over the span of two months trying to show you that you've created a problem that you need to fix, explaining the situation over and over and over again to your poor, confused operators! One person needs to be assigned to this case to fix it immediately before a lawsuit happens! I have real work to do and I can't afford for you to continue not doing your job correctly!!

I'm a single mom with 3 kids living on an income far below poverty & that's not proof enough? It seems many others are having the same problem with Edison as well as obtaining documentation from the IRS. What a scam to deny this discount & make a quick buck. Too many people fed up with Edison & going to solar? How about a class action suit? Also, the poles behind my yard are so old that there is a constant LOUD motor sound & vibration, but Edison says it's too expensive to do anything, yet there are new houses going up down the street & they are changing out those poles. $$$. Our house was the first house built in this neighborhood. You'd think we would have some seniority.

After placement of the smart meter, there started a constant vibration in the house that you can actually feel through your whole body. It took a while to put 2 & 2 together & now others have told me they experience the same thing. I haven't really been much of a conspiracy theorist, but definitely there has to be some sort of connection. I had the smart meter removed & not only are they charging me an extra $10/month to check meter - I get that, well not really since they are saving money not sending people out all the time - but $75 for under 5 minutes of work is ridiculous. The vibration has stopped since removing meter but poles still give off loud hum which gets even louder depending on weather.

By the way, after the poles started escalating with the sizzling & loud constant motor hum & placement of smart meter I also developed 6 nodules on my thyroid which we discovered after I became increasingly sick & felt too tired to move. All & all it's quite frustrating, but seeing that others are having the same problem inspires me to give it another fight. Don't back down. No one wants to be in this position, I know I NEVER thought of myself in this spot. I made good money, but used all my savings waiting years for disability insurance to kick in after a botched surgery. A suit against SCE might be necessary. Good luck to all. Shame on you SCE!

Please inform me of my status and options where I can go to file a formal complaint. Was on hold for ten minutes (after already being disconnected once) and waiting for a supervisor. The nice woman who was helping me was unable to reach the Level Pay Plan dept. to find out why my account was locked out and why I was not notified and recommended me speaking to a supervisor who might be able to reach the Level Pay Plan dept. Finally reached supervisor who promised to follow up and call me right back. That was two days ago!

First off... the heat and solar panels does not affect power. The max days were 105... not 150 degrees. Second, the units used by Sunrun are the highest commercial grade meters you can buy. I have spent over 20 hours on the phone with both companies. Neither can tough the others' hardware nor can they tell what the other is producing or using. The problem is that no one can also tell me how much electricity I am using (gross). They can only add up what each says they are producing or I am using, which after changing all windows to double pane, changing 62-light fixtures to LED (which I know is not a lot), replacing washer and drying to new low flow.

All 4 toilets were changed to the double button low use, replaced all grass to turf (so no sprinklers), air and heat controls are well below guidelines I got from SCE. My kids went to college.. with all that.. and nothing new added. They say I am using over 50% more power. This is what happens when you have a monopoly without competition. An attorney wanted $200k realistically to fight SCE. I am at a loss at this point. SCE threatened to turn off my power... after 9 months of $10-$30 a month above my solar to 3 consecutive months of $500 over solar. Please let's have some common sense here. Still fighting it. Not sure what to do at this point.

In November, I was taken by ambulance to the hospital with pneumonia, but I have keep the fireplace burning and my gas heater going when I am here on weekends. I got a bill for December after complaining and paying the 205. It is for $165. I called again and was told again that someone is using the electricity in my cabin all week. This is an outright lie. The woman from SO CAL Edison told me it is my responsibility to find out what is going on??? I am an English professor who has been teaching for 40 years. I understand logic. Is this what the country is coming to? I see the situation as elder abuse since I am told I am lying, in so many words, and my bill will not be changed! I will pay it and shut up?

Original Review: Jan. 12, 2016

My elderly neighbor experienced an electrical outage and called Edison to report it. They said they would be out and they gave us a confirmation number. I waited with my neighbor for three hours and when I left my elderly neighbor waited until 10:30 pm for Edison to show until she went to bed. She calls the next morning and they said they were at her house at 1:30 pm, but we were there at that time. Complete lie! They told her to call an electrician. Bad review for Edison. Whoever sends technicians out on calls has no Idea that a tech can just flat out lie. Don't want to see another Edison commercial on tv about their integrity! Thumbs down!

This company seems to want to drive their customers away, to make them crazy. Furthermore, their rates are higher than solar off-grid.

This is...WONDERFUL! Never, ever, could we conceive of such a brilliant marketing scheme for promoting off-grid solar energy...ESPECIALLY if a person is presently connected to SCE grid now. This is such a wonderful way to stop ever dealing with these idiots. I will pay EXTRA just to get off grid. Plus, next time their lousy grid goes down, no power outage for us! Keep up the good work, Edison! Soon, we can all make our own power with solar panels, even if it costs more than SCE, because a psychiatrist and drugs are needed as part of your package!

I asked how much. They want 4000.00 dollars to restore service!!! I'm a single mom. I can't afford that! That's not fair. It's not my bill. You're telling me that myself and kids have to suffer because of a bill not in my name. They told me yes. Power would be blocked indefinitely to my address until ex-roommate paid his bill. That's unfair. "What am I supposed to do?" I stated. Their reply "Move or pay bill. But you won't get service through us until 4k is paid." Edison I don't know how you became the company you are today. No heart no compassion. All greed. From me and my 4 kids doing homework in candlelight in 110 degree temperature thanks a lot. I hope the man upstairs makes you pay one day for this.

Now the money isn't the issue here. I'd pay anything to keep my kids safe. It was the fact we in no way have that much money.. We're barely scrapping by as it was. They weren't even willing to make arrangements so we could give them every penny we had right now and make arrangement for this mystery bill which we have yet to see.. He wasn't even the account holder till last month when I had to move out for personal reasons. So how was he even able to have his name put on the account if he owed this much $ from over a year ago!!!

I can't count how many times we called and every time the robot who answered said the same thing, total amount due right now is $127. Never anything about a $500 past due amount that was keeping us locked in this sweat box of fire & doom. Then as I am now trying to have it put in my name my new supervisor I'm dealing with tells me no because I too have a $500 past due balance... Hmmmm how nice and if we were to switch there's a 24-48 hr hold where it def will not be turned on till their investigation team comes out to my apt and all this crazy nonsense..

Mind you I'm still keeping my "cool" and trying to be the rational one explaining I just don't have that much $, it's over 80' outside, humidity about the same and my babies are in here. All I'm told is "Yes mam we all know how the weather is there. We're in Orange County too." Yes we called those care programs. We have yet to get a call back from anyone. Finally after complete panic on my end over my kids & oh yea our pets too (yes they knew just forgot to tell everyone here) I was able to grovel the money on a loan and paid the new age Manson cult their $614.07 to have our power on as it is now almost 12:30 afternoon and it had been off since 9am...

3 hours later still no power so we call some more.. Again pleading our case. Getting another heartless answer.. We inform of the urgency that they have their ransom money please someone make us a priority. Had my roommate not been here I'd be questioning my sanity as I am still in shock over the utter insanely heartlessness we experienced today. Nobody for no reason whatsoever should have to feel and go through what we did today.. Especially when it is involving innocent children. No amount of money is worth risking any child's health or possibly their life... Get your ** together So Cal Edison because right now you are downright a sad excuse for humanity.

I NEVER once provided them with any of my information or my name to be added to that account so I don't see how I'm held responsible for their last bill? Makes no kind of sense and NO ONE has helped me out with this. They just keep sending me a letter saying I have to pay it and now they have turned off my service. They refuse to do payment arrangements while I find legal help and now my service are turned off. This is a monopoly and I'm sure if there was other services around they wouldn't be trying to make people pay them for other people bills.

I told her "obviously I was aware of that but it was a poor decision on SCE part to not make their customers aware of this!" Now I have to scramble to try and figure out what to do and my lights will be shut off tomorrow if I do not take care of it. The supervisor said that they have decided to crack down on people that pay late! I said "I understand what you are trying to say however you could have made customers aware of this when they called to make an arrangement instead of just springing it on them!" She didn't care and I feel that this should be against the law to just spring this on someone without proper notice!

Who runs this company? There wasn't any kind of communication? We were force to sleep in the dark for this night and don't know if they will come out to fix the next day or not. We had 3 kids and 2 senior parents in the house. The house was in a complete darkness. Bugs flying everywhere because we had to open the door in this summer night. We lit our candles as if we live in a third world country. We're never late on the bill then why they late to respond or even to provide an answer to our problem?

This company is horrible! Why do they still operate in this way? Who is responsible for this kind of service? I saw the review on this website and they all are 1 star... Has anyone give it even a 3 stars? Nobody goes to a 1 or 2 star reviewed restaurant to eat! Why is this company still in business?! Are we all talking to an empty space? Or someone responsible actually reading and action against this company? When is this nightmare gonna end?

I then witnessed two employees sit and talk for 15 minutes and I was able to capture three minutes of them sitting around and talking instead of working. I also witnessed five workers stare at a woman carrying a baby down a walkway, which consisted of the men making appalling comments about the woman's body. Edison, I would have fired these workers for their behavior but for your company, I guess you're saying this is suitable behavior. If someone needs photos and video, I will hold onto them.

Since I had never been late on a bill, I had no idea the shut-off date listed on my bill was barely visible. If you're going to shut someone off Edison MAKE IT VISIBLE!!! Otherwise you are purposely trying to scam your customer! When I told people my story, MOST of them had the same experience and were also infuriated. I don't like being forced into a monopoly where I have no choice of which company I use for power. Edison is taking money from customers surreptitiously and using it to invest for their own profits. Their rates are insanely high to begin with let alone their underhanded business practices. What they're doing should be illegal!

They have no right to leave the power off since I am low income & have 4 children ages 3+ with me cause it is a real hardship to deal with and I had this confirmation saying that the power would be turned on and when I called they said they don't have to turn on the power if they don't want to even if I got a confirmation that they would have it on this day. I really want to take this company to the state of California and fight the way they control their power over us & the electricity. They are doing so many things that should be against the law & abusing their power to us American citizens. We the people have to come together and abolish the power they have & create other electric companies to give us a choice to use their service or not.

You have to fight for everything you want nowadays and get nothing but automatic recordings that have no one that you can talk to anymore. SCE why are you making it so difficult for people like me that barely can scrape to keep their own house nowadays. You want us to live without any electricity at all?

Later that night around midnight, with no help from SCE, I called the fire department. I was fearful that the wires may have some electrical charge and be dangerous. The firefighters got the attention of a contractor (**) working on the street, who said he was hired by Edison to work on the power lines. He promised to have the backyard cleaned up before they left.

On Saturday morning around 8am, I woke to even more wires and shards all over my backyard. Please see attached photo. I called Edison that morning and spent over an hour on the phone trying to get someone out to clean up the mess. They finally sent someone over around 1pm. They have never returned my call since. I am going to continue to try to file my complaint with Edison, but felt that I should bring this to the attention of the community, as I am sure I'm not the only person affected by this.

Well guess what, a few days later my power was turned off. I called again thinking the construction was to blame and was told they needed a two hundred dollar payment. I told the Edison representative I spoke to another representative a few days earlier and he said there was no order for disconnect. She said he was wrong and pretty much too bad for you. I paid the money and then went to savings and paid an additional four hundred dollars. This was the remainder of the previous month and the following month. A few days later I received my Edison bill which showed I owed more money. It also listed that I had two accounts.

I called Edison again and spoke to another representative that told me my four hundred dollar payment went into another account because I was disconnected and that I could not get the money back for a year. She also said the payment did not count toward my bill so she wanted another four hundred dollars. I asked for a supervisor and explained the situation to him. He told me he would listen to the recorded conversations and get back to me. A few weeks later I talked to the supervisor and he told me I was right and no one told me I was slotted for disconnect and I was not told about the second Edison account that enabled them to take my payment and hold it for a year. I told him I wanted the four hundred dollars put toward my bill so I would be current and paid up for the coming month ahead. He said he would have to talk to the other department that deals with the disconnect accounts.

A week later another supervisor called me and said they could not get my money from the other account and I would have to make another four hundred dollar payment. She said even though the mistakes were made by their reps there was nothing they could do other than take three payments for the four hundred dollars. As of today I have not talked to anyone at Edison who would give me back the four hundred dollars. If it was any other company that treated me this way I would drop them and change companies. Unfortunately there is no other electric company I can go to.

After a year of receiving bills with a negative balance due we received a letter from sce stating we owed $489 in "CUMULATIVE CHARGES". Mind you we were paying $150/mo on the level pay plan and now we're paying $220/mo for solar so we're already paying more which we were okay with if that meant our bill stayed the same for the next 20 years but no one at any point in time mentioned or explained "CUMULATIVE CHARGES". The letter they sent last month (a warning basically) need to be redone in layman terms because all their fancy word still don't offer an explanation as to what these charges are or why were being charged! Beware of Solar and SCE! We used solar max and feel a little screwed there to.

We complained to the apartment office, they could care less. We complained again to SCE who reluctantly agreed they would look into it/send someone out but we only received a letter with NO ONE's name on it, only "dear customer", "sincerely, SCE". So I am researching how to sue and will inform the apartment office and my neighbors, in case any of them are being screwed over as I am. We live in Rancho Santa Margarita BTW.

Edison says we are using it somehow. I said "please explain how we are using that much electricity?" When in the summertime, we are allowed 15Kws/day at tier 1 rates, 3.5Kws less than in the winter and we ran the ac, yet our highest electric bill was $180? They say "you're using it somewhere." BS!

So I request a fax number and faxed the information again, they claimed they didn't received any fax, but once they did it would be 1-2 business days to investigate and if approved the miscellaneous transfer would be removed. I stated that was unacceptable and that I will not pay one penny of the miscellaneous transfer. I continued paying only the current charges. However even though I paid what I was responsible for my residence on 1/21/15, SCE disconnected my services and will not reconnect until past due charges (miscellaneous transfer), security deposit of 500.00 and a reconnection fee of 6.00 is paid. I am currently still without power and desperately trying to get this resolved and my power restored.

Called Edison, who by the way, had us down at a different address but swore it was the right parcel for our place (the past owners used it and blah blah blah) and this time they requested the number of the meter. Found it, gave it to them, they looked it up and.... big shocker... The meter number was not even on file with them. Not only that but neither was the address for the cabin, EVEN THOUGH it has had electricity pumped to it, from Edison, for about the past 70 years. Woman on the phone is confused, so am I. We are basically receiving electricity even though we have a house and a meter that is not on their records. AND the bill we are receiving is linked to a different address AND is very high AND is totally not ours. Has this EVER happened to ANYONE OUT THERE, ever???? If so, I'd LOVE to hear the outcome!!!! The lady at Edison, although she sounded extremely discombobulated, is looking into it and we're like "take your time, lady at Edison." While we're getting free electricity from the mysterious ethersphere in the meantime!!! So comments, ideas, cuss words, all welcome…

I feel cornered at this point. It's just not realistic arrangements for me being that at this point my income is only $800 a month as I explained several times to SCE. I have borrowed money to pay on this bill which just makes things worse because I can't ever get ahead on this bill. I explained that I want to resolve this and pay them what I can according to my current income but they just won't budge and now I received a disconnection notice. They will not accept anything lower than almost $2,000 to avoid shut off even after explaining that I'm ill and have children.

I also found there are not many community programs that have funds to help people in need with their utilities and if they do, it's for about $100 dollars. I don't trust these new meters and I don't trust SCE or the Public Utilities Commission. They should be ashamed shutting off electric on children and the elderly! It sickens me that they have you by the ** and they know it! Somebody, let's get together and do something about this, please!

I have never, ever felt a company to be so non-compassionate of the average American worker. They simply don't care if you can't pay your mortgage or feed your family! What has this country come too? Not saying that I haven't missed payments, simply due to the fact, I cannot afford them. When is the CPUC going to get involved and hold SCE accountable?

Now another $125 payment is due, and I am already in a huge hole. I called today to politely ask if they could cut the deposit payment in half and spread it out over a couple extra months. I explained my willingness to pay and how the monthly payment amount is unfeasible for me. My medical condition and disability hardship was also explained... and was told “NO” by KAY, an operator!! Unbelievable!!! I was asking for $75 payments, $50 less. I then ask to speak with a manager and she says there isn't one, just a supervisor and that there were many and someone would have to call me back... Unbelievable again!!

I feel victimized, wronged and used. I have been a loyal customer who has no choice but use the monopoly of electricity that our government has created, who has no compassion or regard for human decency. No call back from a supervisor, so I just paid the $125 in fear my electricity would be shut off for non-compliance of my arrangement, through my Smart meter!! So sad, I had to share - it's all I can do!!!

I've tried complaining and telling them that I have an eighty-year-old mom that I don't want to leave stuck in her lift chair while I'm at work unable to lower it or get out without help, but I might as well be talking to the wall because they just don't care. I have obtained a generator and will be having it installed for emergency backup power asap as I am fed up with this unchallenged monopoly and their lack of customer service.

This summer is the first one with the "smart meter" and we have already blown through our $450 credit from the level pay and just received a $615 bill on top of that!!! Our habits have not changed, we actually have purchased newer, more energy efficient appliances, we keep the air at 80 when we aren't home and around 75-76 when we are, yet our bill has tripled! I get these energy reports every couple of months and we use twice as much energy as our neighbors and our bills state that we are in Tier 4 billing status after a few days of the billing cycle?? I think not. These new smart meters are a way for them to charge everyone more money and hope they get away with it!

After reading the many many complaints about their customer service I decided not to call and argue about my bill because it would just be an hour of my life that I'll never get back. I did find out from other customers that you can "opt out" of their smart meter service, and I have already made the phone call. There is a $75 fee for them to come out and switch the meter and then a $10/month service charge, but heck if my bill goes back down to where it was before, I will gladly pay it! Hopefully they get so many complaints that a class actions lawsuit will be filed!

My husband was laying down so after I was humiliated, he seemed to be peaceful and I left him for approx. 3 hours.. They paid a portion of our bill which I was so very grateful. Calling Edison and asking Janet how much more would I have to pay to have this power turned on, she told me 158.00. I borrowed the money from my brother. Went paid and called edison back thinking electric will be back on in minutes. No, I gave this lady her name Janet and her i.d.#, she told me there was no such lady, and that I would have to pay 1500.00 security deposit. She told me politely, "when you get the funds call "us" back," you'd think she was So. CA. EDISON...

MY Brother took me back home, my husband passed away that evening.. devastated, I called Edison that my husband had passed away, could they please turn the electric on for the coroner when they come to pick my husband up, and the the police are here now for me...They told me no, not without the 1500.00 deposit. I just gave up..I has a long extension cord and borrowed electric from my neighbor, so we could have a lamp in the house.

My husband has been gone now for 6 months, I have no electricity, I am just now wanting to peek my head out the door. I was so traumatized by the way a human thinks she can be so final and mean....I mean who tells a woman after she has done everything edison told her to do...has her deceased husband in their bedroom, and it's a matter of fact voice of "you call us back when you have the funds." I begged them just please for maybe 2 hours while the coroner, police were here. Another chuckle on their part, and silence on my phone line.

After this last heatwave, they cut our A/C off several times. My unit had already been installed and activated since July, so I technically was on the program for 3 months and was waiting for that big credit to hit my bill (I heard it takes a couple of months to show up). So my bill rolls in for September and I'm thinking I saved at least $50 for the past 3 months... Nope! I got a huge slap in the face and a lousy $9.78 credit for my participation. Was it worth not having the A/C running for long periods of time during the hottest times of the day? Absolutely NOT.

I was duped by Edison and so will you if you dare sign up to their promises of huge savings. Stay away from this and if you are on the program, go online and set it to the lowest usage program as you have to stay on it for a year. Shame on you Edison! Trying to recoup the losses of your failed SONGS facility from customers who are forced to use your service. Good ol' America for ya!

By this time, two months had passed. I am currently receiving WIC which automatically makes you eligible for CARE. I sent in my WIC proof with my form as a proactive move, it wasn't required. I find out 5 days ago I am not on the program. I called and they said they sent me a request for my taxes and income proof. Well, I never received the request, yet again. I sent my income proof and taxes the next day. I call today and they said I might be eligible from October 1st and on. Marist off, I sent my form back on time even after not getting it after several attempts. Second, I automatically qualify being I receive WIC. Why did I need to send more proof? Ridiculous.

So I call today and speak to a very rude representative. I eventually ask to speak to a supervisor who is of no help and even more rude. Needless to say, I am contacting a manager tomorrow. I don't believe it will get resolved at SCE but maybe the government, since they fund it, can explain why I have to provide more proof than I need to? And since SCE blamed the post office for me not receiving mail at three different addresses that is a government issue too? Seems to me SCE will take NO responsibility for anything. Poor business, poor customer service!

We called the property manager and had them test the A/C, twice. We checked the thermostat, working fine. We called Edison - surely we are being billed for a neighbors power also. Nope. We request them to come out and inspect the meter and are told "we don’t do that anymore". Really? It’s implied we must be using something else in the house to cause it to go so high. Or we are keeping it at ice box temps in the apartment. I can assure you we are a little more frugal than that. Same habits as winter and spring, just using an A/C in the summer. We request them to audit our bill and see if there is a mistake.

After waiting a week and very polite lady called me back and went over the bill with us. I advised her we are veterans to the heat and know how to properly operate an A/C unit without draining our bank account. The only other appliances we use are our TV, washer and dryer and refrigerator. I didn't think a hairdryer a few times a week or some house hold fans would cause an energy spike. We even purchased a Kilowatt meter and hooked up our whole entertainment center to it. It uses about 15 kw a week if we run it for 5 hours a day.

After reading the other reviews and a little research I am sure it is something to do with their remote power meters - they no longer have a live person coming out to read them any longer. That and the fact they charge more per Kw than I've ever seen. So, needless to say, once we can get away from SCE we will drop them like a bad donut. I never would have imagined we would pay the same cost to cool a 1000 sq foot apartment in southern California as we did to cool a 2000sq foot, 2-storey house in 115+ temps in the middle of the desert. I feel a little violated. I really do hope they read these. As a former retail employee for a large company I learned what our customers were saying behind our backs rang very loudly.

We wonder how we were going to sleep at night worrying that there could be another fire. So I got on the phone to Edison and said the guy did not do anything. The pole burnt and they have not replaced it. Are they going to replace it and she did not know. She said the next time that happens canot fire department. I said the fire department does not work on power poles nor do they have testing equipment. Then she said she put another order in. Another order in. All 4 of Us neighbors plan to sue Edison for fire damage and not replacing the pole. They don't care about peoples lives. About five years ago up the same street a family died and same thing Edison was found. Guilty for failure to maintain power lines and paid out 24 million to that family. It was in the news. I guess we will wait till someone dies till they do something.

I do not feel that I should be accountable for this whole bill without any accountability on Edison's side for their miscommunication. The new representative gave me no solution for this issue. He wouldn't even give me a contact person to follow up with the next day. It was down right poor customer service. I don't sit on welfare, I work my butt off and my checks are garnished for these programs just like everyone else's. I qualify for the CARE program therefore I should be on it. Very disappointed with the empathy and customer service Edison has provided, to say the least.

I literally could not function for a month after that, having no money to pay for food or medicines I require. These are heartless, evil people. I am normally pro-business, but there is truly something very wrong with this corporation. I asked them what happened to the auto-pay, and they said, "You have NEVER been on auto-pay." So rather than argue with them (which gets you nowhere), I subscribed for auto-pay (again), and was told it would take a "few weeks."

Well, a few months have passed, and still no auto-pay. This corporation is so corrupt, so filled up with greed that they WANT you to fail, to NOT be able to pay the bill so they can charge an even higher deposit. Because IF you miss a single payment during the year they hold your deposit, they hold it for ANOTHER year. So this evil corporation is using YOUR money without interest to fund their projects!! Wow! Has anyone else figured out this scam? They need to be slapped with a lawsuit to protect us all from their DEPOSIT TO FUND EDISON SCAM.

Figure that one out!!! The new Smart Meters measure power spikes in the line so I want to know why when my next door neighbors AC kicks on my lights in my house dim from the initial draw. Southern California Edison uses every means possible to continually extract more and more money from the consumer and the CPUC seems to do nothing to slap them down. I will finish by saying that nothing will ever change unless our California State Officials Man Up the utilities will continue to take advantage or the consumer. The way things are headed soon 25% to 50% of our income will go to just paying our electricity bills. They continue to preach to us about cutting back on our usage. In the last 5 years I have replaced all of my windows and door, my AC unit to the most efficient Trane AC unit on the mark and Purchased a Variable speed pool pump all to be more efficient and use less while my bills are averaging $50.00 to $80.00 more than they did 5 years. You would think that after all the money that I soked into being more efficient I might see at least a little bit of savings!!!

I call with a confirmation number. Oh no, it has a different account for the security deposit. I asked, "How am I supposed to be aware of this, when you did not inform me? It's your responsibility." Got nowhere. Supervisor was to call me back as no supervisor or manager is available.. Really? And they will call you at their convenience. Two and a half hours later no call. But right after, I am begged by my husband to pay the bill and I do. I get a call back on my house phone with the caller ID numbers all in 0000000000s from a supervisor. Obviously you won't be able to call them back if you needed to.

I proceed to tell her my story and that I am letting consumer affairs know and then we mysteriously get disconnected. 29 min or so later I get a call back on my cell phone, same supervisor, apologizing for the disconnect. Blame game is always on the customer. I finally told her "It would've been nice to have someone just say, 'Yes, you are correct. We should change that policy and let the customer know we put the security deposit on a separate account when they call to pay by phone. One for security deposits and one for your regular account. Also, visibly note somewhere on the physical bill.'"

All I was asking was to take off $6.00 re-connection fee as I had made the attempt to pay and had a confirmation number. They would not do. So I am at the mercy of a large corporation that has a monopoly in my service area. The other alternative is Water and Power, which has the monopoly in the other half of my area.

Again, I've been with Edison for at least 6 years why would someone have to put down a deposit when they're an established customer just trying to transfer service? Why am I being held hostage for a bill that is not mine? This issue has been ongoing for months now and has yet to be resolved. I refuse to give into this monopoly and pay this huge deposit just because the previous tenants haven't paid their bill! It's NOT my fault! Do right by your consumers Edison and make this right!

I don't like it that I must surrender the benefit of competition and possibly lower prices for an overly-bloated and questionably highly-regulated company that services consumer energy. Worse is that most consumers have to take their word in good faith, that the service rendered is correct and or accurately billed. I am not happy with Edison's continued indifference toward consumer's complaints. Worse, I am not happy that Edison fail to take or show any initiative or proactive approach to resolving consumer complaints at all; they only pass the buck off to other departments that just do the same process of denial of fault.

Per the technician, the "Smart Meter" is supposed to send a signal to the SCE Hdqtrs office so there is no need for a meter-reader. EXCEPT IT HASN'T WORKED PROPERLY SINCE IT WAS INSTALLED! Every month I call SCE and am informed that the meter "is now sending the appropriate signal." However, every month a meter-reader is back at my house claiming that the meter is not working properly. Which is it, SCE? Are you lying or just stupid? There was nothing wrong with my previous meter but now I'm told that in order to put the previous one back I must pay a fee. REALLY? If you weren't a monopoly I would have fired you 3 1/2 years ago. I have had nothing but problems and issues since I went solar.

Now we had no warning of it getting shut off and they want 3500.00 to turn it back on. Tried to make some kind of payment plan. They said I needed 3500.00. I'm unemployed and have 3 kids I'm raising on my own. Is there any kind of help I can get to turn my power on? We tried offering them 1500.00 and so much a month over the current monthly bill and they said I needed the 3500.00. We've haven't had any hot water because of elec hot water heater, not mention the inconvenience of no power or heat. Please I need some kind of help. I don't know how to resolve the prob. I don't have any way to come up with that kind of money.

They change the payment policy. I did not get any notice of this matter. Now MIMI sounded awful Young and I refused to have a battle of wits with an unarmed person. However I would like to know how they can bill you for 30 to 33 days and only give you 19 days to pay it without our knowledge and lay these late fees on us all of the sudden. EVERYONE START LOOKING AT YOUR ELECTRIC BILL. I do not know who to write to but they are piling late Fees on you. Also they are talking about raising Electric Rates. I think we should have more option of Electric companies out there.

So I called to explain the whole mix up with Edison for them to tell me that the other address has shut off their services with Edison and opened another account under another name. So I'm here thinking this nightmare is over when today, to my surprise, Edison shut me off. When I called Edison to ask what the problem was they explained that due to a returned check made back in Sept or Oct 15, 2013 for the amount of $192.00 plus the returned check fee which is now in the amount of $246.00, I have to pay that amount in order to stay connected.

Now that struck me funny because not me or my husband have a checking or bank account. I use a prepaid Visa or Mastercard to receive my SSI benefits through direct deposit and that's it. While trying to explain that to them, they did not care. Even if the other lady made the check I still have to pay for it and if I didn't come up with the $246.00 I would get disconnected. I explained to them that I'm a diabetic, my insulin needs to refrigerated. They still could not help me, that I needed to pay the returned check.

Then PUC sent a letter to SCE within a week and about 2 days later a member of SCE Executive committee contacted me singing a different song and waved the security deposit as a "one time deal." The PUC did in one letter what I had been going around and around on for months with SCE and getting only their smug mightier than thou attitude. Thanks to the PUC.

Original Review: Nov. 1, 2013

I sold my residence in April 2013 and discontinued service with Southern California Edison, **. I purchased a new house in June 2013, **. Southern California Edison was contacted to provide electrical services. All of my personal information and contact numbers were provided at that time. Late September I realized that I had yet to receive an electrical bill. I contacted Southern California Edison about not receiving a bill for several months on 9/25 and they informed me that they were sending the bills to **, the address that previous service was terminated. I was informed that the current balance was $658.12.

I informed the representative that the correct address and contact info was provided when the service was established and that their incompetence to keep accurate information was not by any fault of mine and that I could not pay that amount in one payment. The service representative set up a payment plan for $100.00 each month through March 2014. The service representative also changed the mailing address to **. I informed the representative that I would not be able to make the first payment until after I received my next paycheck and it cleared the bank in approximately 8-10 days. He said that that was ok.

On or about October 11th I made a $100.00 payment through their electronic payment system (conf #**) which they posted Sunday October 13th. On "October 28th" I received a disconnect notice that I had to pay them $376.35 by "October 24th" or service would be disconnected. Since the 24th was the week before and the $100.00 payment was not reflected I assumed they had just not updated the account. On October 29th I received the regular bill for which they were asking for $597.24 of which $34.65 was for new charges and the balance was what was set up on monthly payments.

On October 31st I returned home to find no electrical service. Upon contacting Southern California Edison about this they said that the payment was due on the 1st which is not what was arranged on the payment plan earlier. I explained to them what had transpired earlier and the arrangements that had been made. They just responded in their smug attitude that the payment was late and that if I wanted service reinstated I had to pay them $206.00 right then or do without electricity and they would set up a payment plan for me to pay them an additional $800.00 as a security deposit. I was forced to make a check payment over the phone in order to have the power reinstated that night.

The individuals that I talked to on October 31st for service reconnection were Bianca employee ID unknown, Salvador employee ID #** and their mailing address is PO box 6400 Rancho Cucamonga, CA. 92345. The corporate mailing address is PO box 600 Rosemead CA. 91771-0001. I am currently sourcing an attorney to file a lawsuit against them and to clear my credit and refund monies not due to them.

This morning I got a notification from my bank account that I overdrafted and I saw that I was charged the payment TWICE. I called the company to let them know and they basically told me that because the payment was automated it could not be undone. I asked why the man I spoke with said that I had nothing posted and the supervisor told me "we have no record of that conversation". I also asked when the payments were made and she said "October 2nd and 3rd" and I explained to her that there must be something wrong with the automated system because I even checked my phone's call log and it said I did not make a call to Southern California Edison on October 2nd. They still refused to return the money.

When I asked if I was able to call the bank and stop the payment the supervisor told me that "there will be an $8 stop payment fee and we will be able to disconnect your services without prior warning if a stop payment is made to the account." But I kept asking why because the payment isn't late, I'm just stopping the one of the double payments. She said that's just the way it is. So basically I'm broke until pay day and I have to pay an overdraft fee. But I guess I don’t have to pay my bill next month? Thanks Southern California Edison.

I was very upset when the supervisor was speaking to me and I was in tears because I only had 73.00 in my account for food for my children and I even told the supervisor that my due date is October 7th not before. The supervisor said we will send a check to you in the amount of 60.00 in three business days. Until then SCE left a family of five with overdraft fees and no money for food for our children. How can a company as big as SCE do that to a family? The supervisor showed no remorse and I feel ashamed as a mother because now I have to stand in a food bank line for food. Something I have never done. I feel hurt, angry and ashamed.... How can a company as big as SCE do this to a family?

At this point I was pretty confused being I haven’t even received a bill yet how could my service be turned off. So I proceeded to call Edison to report a power outage after waiting on hold for one hour and twenty six minutes. Finally I was told that the reason my power was off was that Edison was requesting me to provide more proof of my identity. I was told I needed to fax in a copy of my driver’s license, social security card, and a copy of my current lease. I had recently had my wallet stolen and am in the process of replacing my Social Security; I however had the other 2 items being requested. I was told that they would not be able to do anything to resolve the issue until I had my social security card, it now being Friday afternoon meant the earliest I would be able to handle this issue would be Monday.

I informed them that this was unacceptable, this was my weekend to have my children and it was far too hot. I asked them why would they disconnect my service and make me go through this. It would make way more sense for them to have requested this and give me a certain amount of time to get this information over to them otherwise face disconnect. They thought this was rather funny so they laughed and told me "That’s not how we do it." I told "This is ridiculous. There has to be something I can do to get service restored today." They said “Yes there is, you can pay the previous tenant's bill”.

Being I wasn't given many other choices I was actually considering doing this until I was given the amount which was $751.00 plus a $6.00 reconnect fee. By the way I should add up to this point I was told I was being asked to submit the items to protect my identity in case some was trying to open this account fraudulently under my name. However it was now clear they were only trying to protect themselves. Also they had no problem telling me the previous tenant's name and amount owed. So now running out of options I started brainstorming and decided pretty much my only option would be to get a friend that had a driver’s license and social security card and I would have to just add his name to lease. This would maybe be a little dishonest but what choice were they giving me so I asked how long do I have to get this in by. I was told it didn't matter, they were open 24 hours.

So after finding a friend to do this and making a lease with both our names on it I faxed it over and called back to see when they would be out to restore service. After another hour on hold I was finally told that the special investigation unit was now closed and they wouldn't be restoring my service till Monday. At this point I was now in shock. This meant I was now going to lose all the food in my fridge and freezer and have to go stay in hotel with my children till Monday. Maybe I should have just paid the other person's bill and been done with it. Well when I finally get to the end of my story you will see that’s exactly what I should have done.

Well Monday finally comes around. I was told on Friday that service would be on between 8 am and 5 pm. So I call just to verify that this is still the case and to my surprise I am told it might not be today. It could take up to 2 business days to actually complete their investigation and sure enough come 5pm I still had no electricity and back to the hotel I went. So now Tuesday comes around. I wait till around 3pm and decide to call to see what is going on being I was told this would be the longest it could possibly take. After about another hour on hold finally someone gets on the phone to tell me they have still not completed their investigation. At this point I have had enough and ask to speak with a supervisor.

The supervisor gets on the phone. I inform him of all the problems I have went through so far and how they told me today at the latest. He thinks this is also a funny situation and tells me it happens all the time. He even goes as far to say that this happens more times than not and is quite normal and basically there is nothing I can do but wait. OK here comes the real kicker. At 5:55pm I finally get a call from the special investigation unit. I am told that I am a liar, that the previous tenant still lives at this address and that they have now been able to connect the previous tenant to another previous tenant with a $3000.00 outstanding bill. And now if I want to restore service I will have to pay every previous tenants bills plus a $1000.00 deposit for a grand total of $4700.00 none of which is my responsibility to restore my services.

This all after I lost over a thousand dollars in groceries and spent about six hundred on hotels. I am completely screwed. I make well over 70k a year; however I still can’t afford to spend this much money that I don’t even owe especially after all the money I had to spend this weekend. Basically my only option is to move out of the house. I haven’t even been in a month and hope they haven’t attached these other tenants debts to my name. If anybody has any advice please let me know. This situation is a complete nightmare Thank you. PS please forgive any misspelling etc. I had to write all this on my phone in the dark after the most stressful day of my life!!!

Finally toward the end of the conversation he suggested I call back and talk to a supervisor at the Department of Consumer Affairs (I think I have the title correct) during normal business hours. My complaint is: Why do I have to tell them more than once that the Planned Power Outage is planned during a dangerous heat wave and that the as many as 1,000 people (customers are counted by them as 1 per address, I estimate more than 4 per household) and probably twice that many animals are at risk of death because THEY planned a power outage in the Desert Southwest in September during a heat wave. WHAT WERE THEY THINKING?

Their website was less than helpful with only 2 cooling stations listed in Riverside County, one in Hemet and the other is in the town next to Hemet, San Jacinto (about an hours drive away) and none that take animals and each with a capability listed as only 10 persons). Go to the beach? BTW, animals are not allowed at the lake or the beach. Nor do I have the transportation to safely transport my animals. I hope that they will reschedule but I am not optimistic. I expect to receive the same response that I received today "Sorry ma’am, but there is nothing I can do."

I feel this should be illegal. They are profiting off the fees they added while making these arrangements with this other person. They are dumping it off on me now and are apparently "happy to make payment arrangements with me", for added fees.

When I asked the max I could personally, with the account now, make arrangements on before power turn off, I was told it was about $200. I don't feel it should be legal for them to make such bad arrangements with another person, add someone to an account and financial responsibility without notification, and then turn a profit off it. At one point the woman laughed and said it was actually quite common.

If it is so common, I would like to take legal action against SCE as well and force them to change their policies to stop fraudulent activity, and to stop them from being able to participate and profit off of it. If anyone else has had this happen, and I see a few stories here and on other sites, I would love help in looking into options. I will be contacting every legal avenue I can think of as well as maybe a legal reform.

I shudder to think what will happen "after" I fall out of process because of their inaction. SCE is despicable, ridiculous company with rude employees that have no idea how to speak and understand plain English. SCE doesn't care at all about problems, like being totally innocent of doing anything - i.e., some previous occupant who left a big bill has nothing to do with me! SCE is behind the times! What happened to running a credit check and going forward with an account - that is what all other utilities do. LADWP is at least efficient and takes care of things with the technology (like credit checks) available to them today.

A simple search will show I have an address history and credit that has nothing to do with the previous tenant and therefore should not be held responsible in any way for their delinquency. I would like to spread this as far and as wide as I possibly can - every review I write will at least give me a place to vent this ridiculous experience.

She passed me on to her manager, who stated, "You know, these calls are all recorded. Before I'm to assist you, I'll need you to apologize to my CSR (for the above mentioned conversation)". After this, I about lost it and he said, "Well, I can't help you either way, you just need to pay the amount due". Is that how customer service works? The company threatens you, lies, and provides no solutions and when you lose your cool, you have to apologize to them?

This is happening because So Cal Edison has a monopoly in Riverside County. There is no alternative to using them. Chino Hills recently fought this and won the right to have competitive business in their area. I will be going to my City Council to request the same for my city. It isn't right that this company can do anything they want with no repercussions. They should not be allowed to lie, threaten and intimidate customers into subservience.

Now, my bill is paid, but, after seven years of being their customer, they are forcing me to give them a $600 deposit. This company has gotten out of hand. They've had too much freedom to screw with their customers for too long. I encourage others to do the same as I am doing and go to your City Council and demand to have another provider for your area. When they have to be competitive, they'll start remembering that we are the customers and they exist to provide us with a service. Until then, they'll keep behaving like the ultimate authority and treating us like we need them more than they need us.

We live in an average 1,200 square foot home. My children go to school and in the month of December, my husband and I both worked outside of the home. Additionally, in January with an average temp of 76 degrees, they claimed we used 2,057 kwh. I don't see how this is possible. Several of my neighbors’ usage is less than half. They have slightly larger homes. One family has 4 children and 2 adults living in the home. One home is 2 stories with a pool. All have and are billed for significantly less usage. Then began my calls to Edison. Fighting back the tears because of the inability to pay, I spoke to someone and told her this wasn't possible. I paid $600 on that day. She went through a series of questions. She began by stating that our usage or lifestyle must have changed. She asked if we had a pool, Jacuzzi, a new medical device, a commercial refrigerator, on and on, all to which I answered no. I also mentioned to her that we have owned the same basic appliances for the last 6 years. We have made no changes. She said what about a temporary above ground pool with a filter. I said yes. She said, “Well there you go!”

I said, “How do you explain that the time we did have the pool, the bill was lower?” This still does not explain 2,357 kwh usage billed in December. She said, “Well, the only thing left to do is send out someone to audit your appliances.” A week went by and someone met with my husband. She again asked the same questions. We both thought this was odd since she was at the house and could see we had none of these. She tested outlets and appliances. She also asked my husband if we grew marijuana. I cannot tell you how offensive this was. She printed out our usage trends and told him she had not seen a jump like that and didn’t see anything abnormal with our appliances. She said the next step would be to audit the Smart meter. She left him with, “I’ve never seen a Smart meter that was faulty.” We waited about another week and someone came to check the meter. A week went by and we received a letter stating there were no faults with the meter.

At this point, we were at the same point we started. Very broke from paying $600 and really afraid we would have no electricity with the inability to pay the thousands of dollars facing us, I again called the electric company. I spoke with Nadine. She again went through the series of questions, although this series included, “Do you have a newborn?” Very confused, I stated no as I had to every question. I politely told her I had been through this and we have not changed our behaviors at all. She told me I was looking at a new bill of $360. How could this be when I was looking online at my usage (as you can with the Smart Meter) and it stated around $135 based on the kwh usage? At this point in the conversation, I was crying and she was telling me there was nothing that could be done. She said she could set up a payment plan. For the next year, I will be paying $189 a month to pay back this $2,000 plus worth of bills. This is in addition to my current bill.

I am afraid to turn on the air or use an appliance because I won’t be able to afford it. I have myself, my husband and 2 children on one income. I am a very reasonable person. If there was some explanation as to how I used so much electricity or why I was charged so much, this would be a much easier pill for me to swallow. However, not one representative of SCE has been able to help do that. The Smart meters allow access to even drill down to hourly usage. On the weekend of April 26th, my house was locked as we were on vacation for four days, yet my usage went up and down, up and down. With all of us being out of the household, it should have stayed flay. I’m very confused, angry and distraught being left with the choices of pay $2,000 plus or have no electricity.

So my only option was to pay the bill or have no power to operate my struggling business. How am I supposed to know what I should be paying? All I knew is that it was too much. They are liable as a public utility to make sure that every customer is paying proper rates. I am sure that their computer system must have been flagging my account for years. I called them a couple of years ago again and pleaded with them, but nothing happened. Last summer, I called to ask if I could save money by working evenings in off-hours. I was told it made no difference (which was not true).

Now back to just a few weeks ago, the SCE customer service finally was honest with me. Guess what! There had been a rate change from what they call a GS-1 to a GS-2. This rate took effect in late summer of 2004, because my service draw exceeded a certain set limit for GS-1 customers. They confirmed that the rate had been changed from a GS-1 to a GS-2 in 2004, and remained as a GS-2 through September of 2012. SCE has over-billed my business for thousands upon thousands of dollars since 2004. According to them, they automatically raise rates when a customer exceeds a set limit. The only way it can go back is for the customer to request it to go back down, sign some paperwork that looks like junk mail, and send it back to them. Pretty slick deal. They raise rates without even having to notify me, and it is my job to figure out how to fix it.

My issue is that I did try and try, again and again, a number of times over the years. Some of these calls were pretty heated because I was getting gouged. I requested a refund of the over-billing from their customer service a few weeks ago. It grew into a heated discussion. The rep refused to help me. I asked for his supervisor and was put on hold. I stayed on the line for 25 minutes before hanging up. I went to their local office. They communicated through an intercom at the door, and told me that they could not help me and that I had to go through customer service on the phone. I told her that they refused to help me, and that the fact that they owed me thousands of dollars gave me a good reason to demand that I speak with someone beyond customer service. She let me in the building and then made arrangements for someone to contact me.

I have now communicated with three persons at Edison. All they seemed interested in was lowering my rate to where it should have been all these years, and avoiding any discussion of a refund. I have been told that they are not going to help me. They told me that it is my responsibility to know what my rates are. How can I do that without them giving me the information I need to do so? They have told me that I just need to go on from here. They are required to operate an ethical business since we are forced to do business with them.

They are not about to accept any responsibility, as far as I can see at this point. That is why I am contacting you. They have intentionally been withholding my information, which would have allowed me to fix this back in 2005. This has run me out of business, along with the bad economy. My bill last month was $580.00, and I only worked what I consider three regular workdays that month. This was a deciding factor in my decision to close my business. The bill received this month was for $ 460.00! My business is shut down.

Please get back to me. These people are a public utility, and I am forced to pay their rates or have them shut down my power. Some choice, huh? Believe me, if I could have gone elsewhere for my power needs, I would have done so in 2005.

Update: After four weeks of unpleasant phone conversations with them and constant denial of their overcharges, they credited my account going back two years. It amounts to over $6,000.00. They are still short of the thousands of dollars of repayment of overcharges. They refused to tell me which higher-up I could go to. They told me that they are going to do nothing for me, period! It was my fault, according to them. Why would anyone in their right mind want to pay outrageous rates for electricity?

I don't know what people here in the central valley are going to do if SCE rates keep going up. Most people simply cannot afford it. We will start to have older and younger people dying of heat, like they have had in the UK. Our President did say that he wanted utilities to skyrocket, so I think this is all manipulated to force people to use less. We are supposed to do away with all the conveniences like dryers, air conditioners, heaters and such. They advise that we sit on the porch or go to the mall to get cool. We should wear sweaters or coats in the house to stay warm. We should hang clothes out on the line. Of course, the politicians can use air conditioning, heat and whatever. They can have 2 or 3 huge homes with pools, spas, tennis courts and such to keep them cool and warm because they deserve it. But we, the sheeple should do without to preserve the planet so that they can continue to live like kings.

Efforts for relief failed and my father was forced to leave the property unable to keep up such high utility bills. Arrangements were made to pay the outstanding balance which was $2200. New tenants have been refused service until my father's balance is paid along with the landlord's prior balance of over $2000. Most have already moved in and they are there with no electricity service or money to move elsewhere. Despite the fact that these are all new tenants, SCE is strong arming them to collect balances that have nothing to do with them.

We are seeking to establish a class action suit against SCE for unfair business practices. I applaud all of you that are wishing to stand up to this bandit who legally rips offs consumers on a regular basis. Anyone wishing to join, please reply to this review. Be blessed.

Around the first of the month, I checked my online SCE bill to get the amount due and schedule a payment. In February I did the same as I always had and discovered my bill was $1,020.28. My bill always ranged higher than in my old home, around $350 to $400. We knew that this home, which we rent, didn't have as good insulation and had some issues so we always paid our bills without question. Then came my bill for Dec. 16, 2012 to Jan. 15, 2013 showing we owed $1,020.28. I was absolutely shocked! My husband and I had not put up any Christmas decorations, a tree or lights, this year because we were both physically incapable of doing so.

My husband had a work injury in June 2012 and has been on disability ever since. I went on disability on Jan. 18, 2013 due to an injury for which I required major surgery. Prior to that date, my husband was the only one home during the day. Our bill was particularly high on Dec. 30 and 31 when my husband was in the hospital. I was either at work or at the hospital with him, yet apparently our dogs went around and turned on the 15 space heaters we don't have since no one else was home to use electricity.

I immediately called and disputed the bill. Of course, I couldn't put in the dispute until I was put through an inquisition about my usage. They grilled me about Christmas lights, new appliances, space heaters, the whole house heater, etc. Finally, the dispute was filed. I was assured I did not have to pay anything as they would research the bill for me. They said I had the option to pay something, but I wasn't required and my bill would be on hold until the dispute was resolved. They stated that they would watch our usage over the next week or so and research our bill.

At the end of February I looked up our bill for Jan. 16 to Feb. 15 and found that it was back down to the normal amount. A few weeks later, I received the news that they didn't find a problem with our bill. I was in shock again. How could they monitor our usage and see that it was what it normally was, yet not see a problem with our bill being more than double (almost triple) what it normally was? I filed another dispute and they said they would come out and test the meter. I didn't trust them entirely so I filed a simultaneous complaint with the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

A couple weeks later, I received a call from SCE that they were coming out to test our meter. The same day I received a call from their corporate offices, a Mr. **. We had our meter tested and I spoke with Mr. **. What a waste of my time. He took the same position as the rest of SCE - their meters and equipment are perfect and I must have done something different in my home to make my bill so high, and immediately took out the equipment or repaired something in the home that made my bill go right back down. I have made the argument over and over that if I was hiding something, I would have never disclosed that I have an electric fireplace. I've also informed them that I've had the same electric fireplace for a year and a half and that I barely used it in that billing cycle for two reasons: it wasn't that cold out and my father-in-law brought us a cord of wood that we used in our potbelly stove to heat our home.

We typically use our potbelly stove anyway and barely use the whole house heater (which is gas, by the way). I used the electric fireplace more in February, after my surgery, as I had insomnia really badly and didn't want to keep the stove lit all night in case I fell asleep as I didn't want a fire going while I was sleeping. Besides, immediately after this bill on Jan. 15, our bill went straight back down to what it normally was. They say that I must have seen the high bill and made an immediate change. My argument to them is if I saw the bill on the 15th, then why did I wait for three weeks to dispute it? It makes no sense! I would have called them immediately upon seeing the bill, which I did in February, not on January 15th. So having not seen a bill until February, I made no changes to my home as they alleged, yet my bill still went down starting at the beginning of the new billing cycle.

They also argue that maybe something is still broken in my home. I keep telling them that if that was the case, I would still have a high bill. This seems to be lost on them. They don't understand anything except, "Our equipment is perfect. You did something wrong." This is their mantra. I answered every question they had at least three times. I was open and honest. I even invited them over to view our home to confirm my story. They of course didn't take me up on it. Then last Friday I received a disconnection notice. All my electric bills are paid except the January one, which is still under dispute pending the meter test. Despite being told so many times that the bill was on hold, now they want to disconnect the service.

I called again today and got it extended, but why the heck would I have to do that to begin with when my bill was on hold? It's unethical that they would do that and they've only extended it out for a short period of time, so that means once the meter test comes back, if they don't agree with my sentiment that something is wrong, they will want the $1,020.28 immediately from a couple who is disabled and has very low income. Now reading all of these complaints about December bills being doubled and tripled and being unsuccessful with disputes, I'm fully expecting the meter test to come back normal. Of course, it would come back normal. My bills are back to normal and this is 2-3 months after the billing cycle I am disputing. If there was a glitch 2-3 months ago and it is now corrected, then my meter would show normal.

The logic of their disputing process baffles me. I found out that the smart meter was installed on January 26, 2012. I am not sure if it is the smart meter that caused this problem, but I am really leaning toward that end. None of our bills living in this house have ever been this high and we've lived here through two winters. Yet somehow it's my fault. Here's another interesting tidbit. The previous renters here actually moved next door to us. I was speaking with them about the high bill and they said the same thing happened to them. They said that one month their bill was suddenly almost $800. They said they had no explanation for it, much as us. They went through the disputing process as we are. They were told it was their fault and they had to pay the bill. It's so disheartening. I'm beginning to wonder if anyone has ever won a dispute with SCE without having to take them to court.

Please note that I have already contacted their Consumer Affairs department and spoke to Ms. Kari ** about it who refused to give me any credit for the overcharges and all that she did was send over somebody to the home to test out their new smart meter (which is not that smart of course!) and naturally their representative who came over claimed that he found nothing wrong with it! The only thing that he did for me was to shut off a switch from the left side of the metal interior circuit breaker box in my hallway and claimed that it would save me money on the heat which he claims was being generated from my ceiling in which I do not believe. But what is very strange is the sole fact that we do not even have a heater in our one bedroom apartment, nor has the thermostat in my home ever worked.

In fact, my thermostat has never worked ever since I moved in here about seven years ago and we never even bothered to have it working since we never use the heat. Furthermore, just to let you know, I have not made any changes to any of my appliances, nor to the amount of electricity that I have used during the past seven years that I have been their customer. It is so strange that all of a sudden, out of nowhere, ever since they changed their previous meters to the new fraudulent smart meters, the bills have never been the same which is fraud! I believe that this poor business practice was done to illegally and/or intentionally, to purposely defraud their customers so their top executives can pocket the extra money and legal action needs to be taken against them for their wrongdoings.

Please note that I was also recently contacted by one of Southern California Edison's other customers named Mr. Lyle ** who informed me about the new smart meters overcharging their customers in which I was not already aware of at first since I was acting quite naive about it and in an email, he even provided me with a link through the Southern California Edison company that allows their customers to opt out, but at another illegal and/or fraudulent price that goes with it and even comes with a catch! Furthermore, Mr. Lyle ** is considering filing a class action lawsuit against the utility company for what they are doing to their customers and you can see why he wants to do it and I have no problem in helping him to get started with the process. Here is the Southern California Edison's URL link to opt out from continuing to use the new smart meter: http**.

As I had stated to you, opting out comes with a price tag which is another scam and another good reason for Mr. Lyle ** to file a class action lawsuit against Southern California Edison. For your information, it costs the innocent Southern California Edison customer an extra $75 to opt out and cancel from continuing to use the new smart meter and go back to using the previous one. Why should the customer be responsible for paying this hefty, illegal fee since they never even authorized Southern California Edison to change the meter in the first place? This is totally a scam and an illegal business practice coming from Southern California Edison!

Please even note that to make matters, even worse and severe, Southern California Edison has also attached an additional $10/month fee for life as a punishment for reversing back (opting out) to go back to using the previous meter and a $5/month fee if you are in the C.A.R.E. program. Wow! Is this how the California Public Utilities Commission allows Southern California Edison to operate as a Professional Utility Company? I would hope not but the facts are the facts and they are supposed to be doing their job by regulating and monitoring them since they are from the California Public Utilities Commission.

So far, they have allowed them to walk all over their customers and get away with this so far. However, this is about to change once the class action lawsuits are filed by many of Southern California Edison's customers including Mr. Lyle ** (who is currently working on getting thousands of signatures, names, addresses and email addresses right now) and he is far from the only person who is angry with their wrongdoings. There have been many other complaints filed against Southern California Edison for the exact same and/or similar thing and in this next URL link, you will find several complaints filed for your review. http:**

So they were billing me for September 20th and earlier for the AC guy. Edison said there is nothing they can do because they do not show an error and they show an Edison guy never came out and touched them. Luckily, I took photos right? They sent out a field guy to meet with me on January 16th. I showed him the photos. He looked at the meters and couldn't believe that they were putting me through this and it was obvious there was an error on their end. I got my bill yesterday. They still want me to pay for August and September for the full amount.

I called my Edison billing specialist. She said she spoke to the field guy and he told her the pictures proved nothing and that I was responsible for the full bill - complete opposite of what he told me. Since they show no error, there's nothing they can do. I have asked for higher ups and they told me the same thing. They even suggested I report them to the Pacific Utility Commission since there is nothing further they can do.

I don't understand why it is okay to do this. I am so fed up with dealing with dishonest companies that have an area monopolized. I should be able to choose a provider so there can be some honest competition and then maybe they would be honest about their billing so they could keep customers. It is not okay to randomly charge more. I actually had an employee tell me that sometimes the reader misreads the meter but since the smart meter, it's not any better. I would appreciate some consistency in my bill since I am consistent about my energy use!

They don't seem to appreciate my business as their people on the customer service line are always rude and are not knowledgeable about their own policies. They tend to just feed you a lie to get you off the phone. This makes me angry because SCE has a monopoly in their service areas and are guaranteed an 11% return on investments in the system or work. Their CEO makes $3.9 mil/year, and I feel if they didn't pay the CEO so much, maybe they could afford to make their employees happier and in turn their customers. But I don't think they care about that!

When I asked how long it would take to receive my deposit back, she told me my account was not up for review until January 13, 2013. I, of course, thought she was mistaken so I had her repeat the statement, and again she gave me the same date. I asked what needed review, that my account balance is zero. She stated they need to go back and verify that I paid all my bills on time. I reminded her that she just told me my account balance is zero and had I not paid my bills on time, my service would have been disconnected, at which point I would have had to pay for re-connection and of course if I had not paid my bill, I would not have a zero account balance. I can't believe I had to explain this but still I did.

She stated they will decide if my deposit should be refunded or put in an energy account for me as a credit? I am not transferring service! I disconnected service! I do not owe a bill because I already paid my last bill which again explains why my account balance is zero! I again asked why they need to hold my deposit for over 3 months. Her only answer was "That is just our policy." Is this legal? God forbid some agency actually oversees our utility companies. Seems to me there is nothing written into the bylaws regarding logic, common sense or even ethics; therefore I guess it's not technically illegal, just immoral. I will just have to follow up with them next year to see if they've determined that I deserve to get my deposit back or not. Think they will pay me interest?

“Okay, ma’am. Well, have to listen to the recording of your call to see if you told us to shut it off and a supervisor will call you back.” Sup called me today and gave me the online excuse again that because my name did not match my billing name, shut off was declined. Yeah, I know. That’s why I called you to shut it off. Did you listen to the recording? “No ma’am,” the supervisor said.

Please listen to the recording because I can assure you I am not interested in paying for electricity that I am not using. You folks asked me if I wanted to move my service. Now, why would you ask me that if I wasn't cancelling the service? Really? The amount is small, but it is not money I am willing to part with so easily. I am confident that this is a common practice. The amount is so small it really is not worth the hassle. And this is how big corporations operate: nickel and dime customers so it’s not worth the hassle, do it to thousands and thousands of people, and that can really bump up the bottom line. It’s just wrong. And it is common practice.

Instead of adjusting the Level Pay Sum (an action request that I've had done in years previous without a problem), I was removed from that payment plan. So, the next month, May, I got a bill and the entire sum is due and of course I'm on auto-pay so I'm looking at that full sum getting pulled from my checking account. I called in May to go over the situation and what can they do to fix this so I'm not having to pay that full sum as a result of their error. So they say they can do a one-time stop, and then x, y, and it'll get corrected. The stop-pay happened. I sent in the $65 payment. Now, for June the bill came and again, the whole sum is written up as being due, and of course, auto withdrawal. I called yet again, and got what I thought (foolish I am) was someone who was hearing me and was doing his best to find a solution that will protect me from having that whole sum withdrawn.

I got his name, his ID #, and he outlined what will happen. All seemed good. Today, mid-June, my checking account is emptied beyond empty. I am freaking so pissed off! I called them and basically all I freaking get is the agent, and the supervisor repeating in ** circles what today's policy is. Gee, the policy that was outlined to me last week by this other agent sounded awfully correct and accurate, matter handled to me. Nope, we're going to have you think that, and then screw further with you. Today's agent and supervisor acknowledged not receiving my words that they have a problem in the training and competency of their customer service account reps, that over three months that I have had to call and not have this fixed to where today, I have my bank account emptied.

I am just so livid. And anywhere that I can voice my opinion on the obvious incompetency of management in equipping the customer service agents to accurately handle problems, I will go there. This is also a company that is just obviously way too big, that a problem they made that they cannot fix in three months. It'll just proceed and screw the customer. Oh, and they're not all that sorry about it. If I could possibly go to another company, I absolutely would. Basically, don't believe anything they say about how a billing issue will be handled. Be ready for the worst outcome. That is the motto an SCE customer has to do business with them by.

The power surge also killed one of my digital frames. I received what must be their standard response letter stating, "We cannot guarantee a continuous supply free from interruptions.” I agree with Brian. Why do they have a claim department if they're never responsible? Their equipment failure damaged my goods and property! Oh, and it's not my fault they "were experiencing further delays in restoring power due to lack of crew members.” Duh! Who would've wanted to be called into work on Easter Sunday?! I pay my bill every month. How would they like me to tell them that I cannot guarantee paying them every month due to "significant damage" to my wallet? In addition, every month there's this little notice that they have asked for a rate increase. What greed.

I called Southern California Edison at that time (beginning of April) to request my power be turned off on Friday, April 15, 2011, and to close on my bill on that date (I was current on my bill at that time and also had a $40 deposit balance to be returned). While I was no longer living in the apartment, I still wanted power on April 15, 2011. I could do final cleaning of apartment. Conversely, I wanted power off and my bill closed by April 15 2011 as the bank’s remodeling crew would be taking possession of the apartment as of that date. I contacted Southern California Edison the week following April 15, 2011 (the date I closed my account) to do final settlement and close out any balance at that time as I was moving out of state. I was told that the account was closed and current and a check for the balance from my $40 deposit would be mailed to me at a later date (as I had no new address, I just have my mail held at the post office); however, I never received any check.

Now, as of a few months ago, I am being contacted by a collections agency for Southern California Edison saying I owe $50-plus on this account I closed last year. I do not owe Southern California Edison; if anything, Southern California Edison owes me my deposit balance. I was quite clear when I contacted Southern California Edison last year I was there to settle that account in full at that time as I was moving out of state. I was told I had a credit on the account because of the deposit. As far as I’m concerned, this is a settled account on my part as of late April 2011. If Southern California Edison left power on past April 15, 2011, that’s not my concern. I closed that account as of April 15, 2011.

I contacted Southern California Edison the following week to settle the account in full and did so with a positive balance due me per Southern California Edison. Else, I would have closed the account with a check stating “paid in full/account closed as of April 15, 2011.” Southern California Edison cannot come to me a year later and say, “Oops! You owe us more money on a closed account.” This is a small amount, but I will talk to an attorney if I have to. I’m very mad about it, particularly if there is a ding on my credit from this.