Utility & Service Companies - How To Cut The Cost

We came across a recent utility bill that should not have been sent to us since we suspended services months earlier. We've kept on top of this issue and demanded refunds but we wanted to ensure you're aware of what's transpiring: Utility companies are auto charging without providing a service. It's the oldest revenue trick in the book because people don't check their bills like they should.

During this pandemic, office have closed down so utility and service bills should simultaneously have been cut to a minimum from less use. But this isn't the case and these corporations are using this time to boost their business model by charging for services they're not providing.

With one company trying to bill us monthly for no services rendered, we shut off auto pay and demanded a full refund for one month owed. They refused to comply until we emailed the CEO. Within minutes, we were given an apology and a justified refund check.

But what if you're not even screening your bills, your auto pay set ups and assuming that these companies need to be paid regardless of whether you receive minimal or no service? 

We urge you to take this issue head on. Companies making big cash during a pandemic is horrifying in itself. Taking advantage of panicked customers is not the way you should be treated. Please check through every single bill you've incurred since mid March. If you have auto pay, maybe suspend this until you're up and running again since it's easier to dispute an invoice than try gain a refund. If the utility, trash or service company has a statement on their website that all services are suspended due to shelter in place, yet you've still been charged, screenshot the web page and demand a full refund. Not a credit to your account - but an entire refund check by mail. Not a mailed refund in two weeks - a refund by check in the mail TODAY.

Cash is really tight so paying what you justifiably used is deemed the norm. But being charged an arm and a leg for services you did not receive since March is illegal.

Utility and service companies generate billions of cash in revenue per year. Their business model is based on people forgetting to turn auto pay off, or not checking their bill's accuracy, or using scare threaten tactics over hidden fees. If businesses go down the drain, the homeless population increases. We cannot afford to see this happen. Every penny counts.

Please be sensible and check the past six months of bills or you're literally throwing money in the trash, which the garbage company won't collect but will nevertheless auto charge you. And if you're in a tight financial spot at home, please complete this form to receive utility bill reductions for your house.