ComplaintsforDEMCO

• Initial Complaint

  03/03/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  DEMCO has apparently submitted a debt that I supposedly owe for collection without attempting to contact me. This has now showed up on my credit report and it lowering it by about 70 points, once again, without any attempt at communication. Both properties which I am associated with have been sold in excess of 2 and 30 years ago, respectively, so I'm not even sure what account they are trying to collect this alleged debt on. Moreover, the debt company they are using does not provide any contact information whatsoever.

  Business response

  03/07/2023

  Contact was made with Ms. ******* regarding the outstanding debt from a bill that posted on October 14, 2022.  The account was set up in Ms. *******'s name on  August 13,1986 and remained in her name until it was disconnected on 10/12/2022.  Ms. ******* indicated that the property was sold to family members 30 years ago, however it was left in her name.  Ms. ******* indicated that she was aware that the bill was in her name and her family members advised her that they would take care of the balances due.  Per Ms. *******, the home was sold again.  The outstanding balance represents the final bill made to the account for the service period of 09/06/22 - 10/12/22.  Ms. ******* was advised that since the account is in her name she is held as the responsible party for the payment.  A copy of the final bill was emailed to Ms. ******* via the email address provided herein.  Ms. *******'s address on file and email were not her current information.  Ms. ******* was provided with my contact information if she needs additional assistance.

  Business response

  03/08/2023

  Attached is a copy of the email that was sent to Ms. ******* shortly after our phone conversation.  Also attached is a copy of the billing that was attached to the email.  It is the responsibility of the member to make sure that their mailing address, phone numbers and email information is accurate in order to receive communications from DEMCO.  Since the billing was allowed to stay in her name, Ms. ******* is responsible for the charges.  Once payment has been made, we will report the debt as paid to the appropriate agencies.

  Customer response

  03/08/2023

  
  Complaint: 19533315
  
  I am rejecting this response because: As previously stated, I have no record of the supposed email sent by DEMCO. The correct email address, as I stated on the call is pam*******@gmail.com. While I do not agree with DEMCO that there is even a debt in my name on the account, as per the sale of the house, it the next party's responsibility to take care of the change of utilities on the property, I am willing to settle the debt for what DEMCO claims I owe, provided that it is *removed* from the major credit reporting bureau's credit report completely, not simply marked as paid. I also require confirmation that the debt is still DEMCO's debt to collect, since most of the time, these debts are sold to a collection company and no longer remain with the original company. 
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ****** *******

• Initial Complaint

  01/23/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Why does it seem like I’m fronting the whole PCA? The PCA charge is the same amount if not a little less than my usage charge, that being said I UNDERSTAND cLECO is the reasoning with fuel prices going up, but I thought the PCA charges were supposed to be finished in April 2022 from what the CEOs message said, why is it still skyrocketing? Have I missed a newer memo from the CEO?

  Business response

  01/30/2023

  I contacted our member to discuss the PCA charges on the billing.  I offered to share a copy of the member's billing and usage history and he declined.  The PCA charges are always present on the bill and are not new charges.  These charges represent the cost for fuel that is used to generate the energy consumed by the member.  This is a pass through charge that is collected from the member and paid directly to our wholesale power contractor.  Nationwide, the increased cost of fuel has caused an increase in electricity costs.  DEMCO has recently been approved to enter into a new wholesale power contract that we expect will result in a decrease in wholesale power costs.  This new power contract will not go into effect until 2024.  

  The member did not have any further questions regarding the charge and did not request any further assistance.

  Please let me know if any additional information is needed.

   

• Initial Complaint

  01/09/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I have been attempting to get demcos service extended to my new construction for 5 months now, I have tried to contact Demco several times now and each time I call I am on hold and no one ever picks up. I have filled out all required paperwork and asked time and time again what else is needed for work to begin.

  Business response

  01/10/2023

  It appears that payment for the Construction in Aid for the invoice (attached by member) has not been paid.  Payment in full is required before construction can begin.  We will reach out to the member to discuss.

• Initial Complaint

  12/27/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I ordered services never had them before I have elders..kids..and pets in my home I can't afford 275 upfront they won't help me add it to first bill.

  Business response

  12/27/2022

  A deposit is often required to establish services with DEMCO.  The amount of the deposit is determined by the applicant's credit report results.  A billing supervisor will contact the applicant to see if a payment arrangement can be made.

  Customer response

  12/27/2022

  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID 18638814, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ****** *******

• Initial Complaint

  11/14/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  The last couple of months my bill has been in the $700’s. Even after I spoke with Demco when I received the first $700 or so bill I made sure we were not running the AC low at night since they claim it was due to high AC usage. Even after that I’ve had at least 3-4 bills remaining in the $700’s. This is ridiculous! How do I know the correct meter is being read?

  Business response

  11/14/2022

  An attempt was made to contact the member by phone, but there was no answer and a voicemail with contact information was left.  A review of the billing hsitory indicates that the kWh billed is consistent with what has always been used at the location during similar months.  The meter is functioning and no indication of an error is observed.  A copy of the billing history and meter readings has been sent to the member for review.  Higher electricity prices has caused significant increases in bill amounts.  A copy of the DEMCO CEO's message to the membership was also shared to the member for review.  The member may contact me at their convenience to review the documentation, billing history, and meter readings and to receive additional suggestions regarding the usage at their location.  A copy of the email to the member is attached.

• Initial Complaint

  11/08/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I have been reporting light post outages for quite some time. DEMCO representatives have lied about the process, have lied about the timeliness and have lied about the date for which the work would be completed. My entire street is pitch black due to these outages. They have even blamed other companies for the reason they are out. If I do not pay my bill, they would CUT my services quicker than the length of time these street lights have been out. Its a shame that the consumer does not get to choose their utility providers.

  Business response

  11/09/2022

  Dear member,

  Thank you for reporting your issue with the street light repair.  We apologize for the delayed repair.  Typically, the repair time for a street light outages is 5 days from the requested service order.  However, in your subdivision, there was a fault in the underground wiring that required a more extensive repair.  The job was scheduled with a contractor and moved up in the schedule.  The contractor has advised that the repair has been made and all lights in your subdivision are back in service.  Please advise if you are still experiencing an issue with the street lights.

  *****@DEMCO.org

• Initial Complaint

  10/13/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  My Demco electric bill is way to high. Past two years my light bills for summer months range from $200 to $300 but this year starting end of June bill was $227 ,May $197 then July it doubled to $425 , August $580 , September $560 now October $525???? Why no one comes out and reads the meter??? This new electric meter is not accurate. We have the same things running in our home that we had Summer of 2021 and 2022 when the same summer months was $200-$300 . Demco gives you no time to pay theses outrageous bills. I’m disabled on fixed income my monthly check is $798 how can I live paying almost $600 on 1 light bill??? I just paid $565 09/26/22 now 10/11/22 Demco wants the October bill payment $525 that’s over $1100 between 20 days!!!!!!!!!! Even Entergy gave their low income customers $150 off there bill!!!! Demco just gives you a list of places that no longer takes applications are not in service. We need electric to live and Demco taking advantage of customer!!!! It’s no hotter in Louisiana this summer than last summer so why did the bill triple?????

  Business response

  10/14/2022

  A review of the billing and usage history of the account shows that the usage is consistent with what is typically consumed at the location during summer months.  The meter readings were also reviewed at the location and shows the usage averaging over 100 kWh per day throughout the summer.  The usage has started to decline a bit since temperatures have not been as high. The charges billed to your account are accurate and no adjustment is due. 

  The majority of usage at a resident's location is typically tied to the heating and cooling of the home.  Members are billed for what they use.  Currently, electricity costs have been higher than in previous years due to increases in the cost of natural gas which is used to generate electricity.  These inflated costs are expected to continue throughout the year.  We have communicated to our members via email blasts from our C.E.O. regarding the issues that have caused the higher costs as well as urged our members to take steps to conserve energy and reduce their usage. DEMCO offers a financial assistance program through the DEMCO Foundation where members can apply for assistance, up to $2,500 in their times of financial need.  Funds cannot be used toward utility costs.  For assistance with utility bills, please refer to the charitable organizations listed on our website at https://www.demco.org/community/demco-foundation. 

  I will forward to your email on file a copy of your billing history, meter readings and communications from DEMCO concerning the current high cost of electricity.  The email will contain my contact information if you would like to review the items that support your billing.

  Sincerely,

  ****

• Initial Complaint

  09/27/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  My Demco bill is just simply wrong. My electric bill has doubled in the past year. It states that my kWh is over double what it was last year when I stayed home all of last year. This year I've been working and not at home near as much..and the kWh has supposedly doubled. $169.74 is way too much to be paying for being in a mobile home.

  Business response

  09/28/2022

  In reviewing the billing and usage history all of the information is within normal ranges based on your history's location.  The billing is accurate and no credit is due.  Increased temperatures during summer months are typically accompanied by higher usage and bill amounts.  In addition, natural gas prices have increased and caused electricity rates to increase dramatically.  If you need a billing arrangement please contact us at 1-844-MyDEMCO (1-844-693-3626).  I will contact you by phone or email to share a copy of your billing history and communications regarding the increased cost of electricity.

  Thank you!
  

• Initial Complaint

  09/27/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Without notifying me, demco has cut the power off on 3 separate occasions from 9-6. When I called to speak to someone they stated it was because of maintenance preparing for hurricane season yet that was done in September which is the end of hurricane season. Just no respect for the customer whatsoever! Very rude on the phone as well. Second complaint is dealing with a deposit. I paid a 275 deposit when I moved here supposedly because of my credit despite being a demco customer over 30 years! Now I’m moving again and have to pay another 275 because it’s demco again where I’m moving too. Here’s the kicker….. they want 275 upfront yet my original deposit will be credited on my bill once power is cut off at existing location! These people do what the hell they want with no one to answer too! Not held accountable by any standards

  Business response

  10/17/2022

  We apologize for the inconvenience of the outage you experienced.  ROW trimming in your area was performed in an effort to clear out debris that often causes extended outages.  This work is performed throughout the year in an effort to increase reliability.  The deposit from the first account ($275.00) and interest paid on the deposit ($10.35 ) was applied toward the final bill.  This left a credit balance of $7.04 which will be applied toward your new account. Had the deposit been transferred to your new account, it would have left your prior account with a balance of $278.31.due. Please contact us by phone if you have any questions at -844-693-3626 (1-844-MY-DEMCO).

• Initial Complaint

  09/19/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  A request was put in on 8/30/22 to disconnect service on 9/9/22 at ***** ********* *** ******** as we were closing on the sell of the property. On 9/10/22, I checked the Demco app and saw that it was still pending disconnect. I sent a message to customer service to inquire about the status of the disconnect. A customer service rep responded on 9/12/22 stating that the connector was not able to get to it on 9/9/22 and that we would be responsible for the charges for the extra days even though we no longer owned the property. I put in adequate notice of the disconnect; website ask for a notice of at least 3 days. Why am I responsible for the charges in this case?

  Business response

  09/19/2022

  The member's billing has been corrected with a reduction in the billing for the additional three days of usage, a total of 59 kWh.  The corrected billing can be accessed by the member through their online bill access.  A hard copy will be mailed to the address provided herein.

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩