Hydro One billing practices spark huge number of complaints to Ontario ombudsman

mentalfloss

Prickly Curmudgeon Smiter
Jun 28, 2010
39,778
454
83
Hydro One billing practices spark huge number of complaints to Ontario ombudsman

TORONTO — Ontario’s watchdog says Hydro One’s billing practices have garnered an unprecedented number of complaints to his office.

Ombudsman Andre Marin says so far, he’s received 7,900 complaints about the provincial utility — and the number keeps going up.

His annual report says it’s the most complaints his office has ever received about a single government organization.

Marin launched an investigation in February after customers complained about delayed or missing invoices, which resulted in high “catch-up” bills.

His report says the Crown corporation took $8,390 from the bank account of one woman who had authorized automatic payments, saying they’d underestimated her billings for almost two years.

Marin says Hydro One responded immediately after he announced the probe and have taken several short-term measures to alleviate problems.

His report also noted that a probe into unlicensed daycares launched after the death of a two-year-old girl is expected to be released this summer.

The ombudsman’s office received a record 26,999 complaints last year, up 37% from the previous year, the report said.

Hydro One billing practices spark huge number of complaints to Ontario ombudsman
 

lone wolf

Grossly Underrated
Nov 25, 2006
32,493
210
63
In the bush near Sudbury
Hydro was pushing their pre-authorized payment thing pretty hard. I refused because I don't trust them. So far, the crooks have proven my distrust valid. Now I'm looking at a $90.00 a month increase because somehow I used an average of 71 kWh daily for a month. Bullshyte! The place is less than 900 sq ft, I live alone and heat with gas. I think the criminal courts should be looking into Hydro
 

petros

The Central Scrutinizer
Nov 21, 2008
109,407
11,455
113
Low Earth Orbit
Hydro was pushing their pre-authorized payment thing pretty hard. I refused because I don't trust them. So far, the crooks have proven my distrust valid. Now I'm looking at a $90.00 a month increase because somehow I used an average of 71 kWh daily for a month. Bullshyte! The place is less than 900 sq ft, I live alone and heat with gas. I think the criminal courts should be looking into Hydro

71kWh a day? Do they think you are growing dope?