United Illuminating Customers Who Switched Providers Urged to Check Bills

Officials said the utility company posted the wrong rate and several customers might be paying higher rates.

United Illuminating customers are urged to check their bills after UI posted the wrong rate on the Energize CT website, according to the attorney general and Consumer Counsel. 

The inaccurate rate was posted from May 3 to May 23. 

Attorney General William Tong and Consumer Counsel Elin Katz said around 3,500 customers either switched from UI's standard service rate to a third-party supplier or switched suppliers during that period, believing they would be saving money, and some of those customers might have unintentionally selected a higher rate than the standard service offer. 

Customers who switched to a third-party supplier during the period when the inaccurate rate was posted will get a notice in the mail from UI providing accurate rates and a phone number to call for assistance. 

The new rates are scheduled to go into effect on July 1, so no one has yet been overcharged, according to the attorney general.

UI's standard service rate in effect until June 30, 2019 is 11.23 cents per kWh, and will decrease to 8.35 cents per kWh for the period July 1 – Dec. 31, 2019. 

"Electric rates are too high as it is, and no one should be paying more than they need to due to this error. United Illuminating customers who switched to a third-party supplier last month should check their bills right away. If your next cycle rate is above 8.35 cents per kWh, you may not be getting the lowest rate possible. Consumers who want to switch back to the standard service rate can and should ask United Illuminating to reimburse them for any early termination fee," Tong said in a statement. "The Office of the Attorney General is here to assist anyone who needs help reviewing their bill and correcting any errors." 

Consumers with questions could also contact the Attorney General's Consumer Assistance Unit at 860-808-5240, or the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority customer assistance line at 1-800-382-4586. 

If you have general questions about your bill for UI, call 1-800-7-CALL-UI. 

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