I am in a middle of moving to new home, and of course, I need to set up new utility accounts.
Gas, sewage and water accounts were set up without a problem.
Electricity.
Tried to set up account on line and got message to call customer service (did not check off the permission to check my credit report).
Called CS, and asked for permission to pull my credit report, refused. Transfered to manager and was explained that Patriot Act requires to check my identity and the only way to do so is to pull my report. I told him, that Patriot Act does not require to pull my report and there are plenty of other ways to check my identity and manager promised to call later.
A few hours latter got call from the application department manager (whatever it means), very polite and pleasant lady. She told that my identity has been already confirmed and there is no need to pull my report for identity check, but they need my report to decide how much deposit, if at all, to charge me. Ask her what is maximum deposit they charge - wooping $76, told her to charge me full amount and paid it over the phone by Visa. When I gave my card number, she said that they charge an additional $3.95 for credit cards payments, asked her to hold for a minute and called to Visa from my cell, making sure that chick from electricity company hears every world.
Asked rep from Visa that electricity company charges me an additional fees for using my Visa card and if that's OK. Rep said that company can not charge an additional fee and told me to forward my bill to Visa and they would take care of it. Asked electricity company gal if she still insists on fee and she told that my fee was waived.
Love this board.
IN VINO VERITAS.
