Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. 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.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:01/31/2023

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I received a bill from Santee Cooper on 01/19/2023 in the amount of $21.00, regarding a property which I never owned nor resided at. It should be noted that the property address where the utility connection was being made was noted as **** **** ***** *** **** ***, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577. I never had any affiliation with Unit ***. I attempted to purchase Unit *** in that condo community last year. However, I never purchased Unit ***, nor did I give any authority to Santee Cooper nor any other party to connect utilities on my behalf for any unit, especially not Unit ***. Subsequently, I contacted Santee Cooper by telephone on 01/31/2023 to discuss this matter. I spoke to Carmen ( Agent #15). I politely asked her to dismiss that Connection Fee charge of $21.00, which I never authorized. She stated that an application had been completed on my behalf. I told Carmen that I never completed an application. She replied, "it doesn't matter, it has your information on it." So with that being said, if someone uses my information to fill out an application for utilities for any property, am I to believe that Santee Cooper would hold me liable for those actions? Given the circumstances, and my notification to Santee Cooper, via its representative Carmen, regarding my frustration with this fraudulent matter and their total disregard and unwillingness to dismiss that unnecessary charge of $21.00, it makes me feel like their company is attempting to extort me with this bill. Moreover, it makes me concerned. I wonder how many other people are dealing with this same problem, but don't know who to share their complaints with, so they just pay the extortion fee. This problem needs to be addressed. I thank you in advance for your help. My colleagues think that despite the trivial amount of the bill, I should also notify the news of these matters as an attempt to alert others who are also struggling with this type of situation involving the negative business practices of Santee Cooper.

  Business Response

  Date: 02/15/2023

  We received a call from ******* **** on 1/31/2023 about a bill he received for a location in Myrtle Beach.  He said that he did not close on that property.  After further investigation, we removed the $21 connection fee and have sent him an email confirming that he does not owe anything to Santee Cooper.  He stated on the phone to me that he considers this matter resolved. 

   

  Please let me know if you need anything else.

   

  Thank you,

  Stephanie B******

  Customer Answer

  Date: 02/16/2023

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