BGE Billing Glitch Affects 14,000 Customers
Spokesman says affected customers have been identified and the problem is being corrected.
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A glitch in a new billing system used by BGE has resulted in some customers being double-billed for some electricity supply charges.
Aaron Koos, a spokesman for the company, said the issue affects about 14,000 or about 1 percent of its 1.2 million customers in central Maryland who buy their electricity from suppliers other than BGE.
"We've identified the issue and the affected customers," Koos said.
BGE serves electricity customers in Baltimore City, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, Howard, Montgomery and Prince George's counties.
The company explained the issue after a customer, who asked to remain anonymous, contacted Patch on Wednesday about the over-charges.
BGE is in the midst of upgrading its billing system for the first time in more than 20 years. The change over has resulted in "some challenges," according to Rob Gould, another BGE spokesman.
In this case, a difference of one day between the billing date and the meter reading date resulted in some customers being overcharged in March. The error could result in hundreds of dollars in over-charges depending on a customer's usage, Koos said.
He said customers who believe they have been affected have several options.
Customers who have already paid their bills will receive a credit on their bill for next month.
Customers who believe they have been over-charged but have not paid their bill can either pay the bill and receive a credit or call BGE at 800-685-0123 to get their correct bill total.
Koos said the company is also working with customers to waive late charges and set up payment plans for anyone with difficulty paying their bills as a result of the billing system change over.
tom
8:02 pm on Thursday, March 22, 2012
BGE also serves a small portion of northeastern Calvert County, including North Beach and Chesapeake Beach. That's not important to the story, but just for the sake of accuracy.
Leslie Hunt
10:03 pm on Thursday, March 22, 2012
Thanks Tom, That's worth pointing out to BGE when they send out press releases naming what counties (all or in part) they cover to not forget "and parts of Calvert County"!
Tim Lemke
9:40 am on Friday, March 23, 2012
I've deleted a comment from Reggie because it violates our terms of service. We do not permit promotional or advertising content in the comments section. If you'd like to purchase an advertisement, please click on the link below to be put in touch with a sales manager.
Susan Logan
11:45 pm on Saturday, March 24, 2012
I was double billed and when I called BGE I was told that the meter reading was right and if I wanted a lower bill I should turn down my heat. Next bill I received had an $180.00 cr on it. But they still charged me double for the customer service charge of $13.00 this due to the fact they had to go back 2 months to get a low enough reader reading to match to the newest meter reading. Don't you just love customer service!!
Joe Robinson
3:15 pm on Monday, March 26, 2012
We have caught BGE on at least 5 occasions where they flat out lied about reading our meter. We have a locked fence and 2 German Shepherds - we know when someone tries to either get in our backyard or when someone knocks on the door.
Scott DiBiasio
5:09 pm on Monday, March 26, 2012
I was wondering what the deal was with the credit on my bill. Doesn't BGE have the capability to read meters remotely? Or is that part of the Smart meter project?
Leslie Hunt
8:55 pm on Monday, March 26, 2012
How about learning you had a switch accidentally put on the outside of your house by BGE. It was meant for the house down the street (who ordered it) with same house number but a different street name. BGE has been cycling our AC for 4 years and not crediting the bill under Peak Rewards. Even the BGE guy was stunned when he realized what happened. Now, we'll see how much we would have "saved" over the 4 year period. That answers why the house seemed over-heated on those high temperature days-
Meryl Tseng
9:12 am on Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Thanks for this article! I noticed that my current bill was almost $100 more than my usual budget billing amount, but hadn't had a change to look at the actual bill yet. Turns out I was double billed for the electrical supplier portion, to the tune of an extra $180. The odd thing is that they had figured out at their electrical distribution part was doubled, because I had a $99 credit which they told me was to cancel out the double billing of that part. For anyone with this issue, they're giving 30 day account protection so you won't show as being past due, and they advised me to handle it however I wanted basically. They'll fix the next bill, so they told me I could pay the full amount and get a credit, pay my normal budget billing amount, deduct the double charge, whatever I want.
Mike Brown
12:44 pm on Tuesday, March 27, 2012
I had this same issue back in December. I called up and they said that it was a defect. I called several days later and then they said that the bill was correct. I had a very high bill 176+ for a 2bedroom 2bathroom apartment. That was insane. The next bill was 0 plus a 13+ discount for the following bill. Finally in January I called again because my bill was like 70-85. So to go from one month of 176+ to this was suspicious. At this phone call I was told that they overcharged it and blamed it on someone not being able to check my meter and they guessed on my service. I find this suspicious that all of this happened when they were upgrading their system. Thanks to Tim and the anonymous individual who talked to Patch about this issue.
George Karadimas
10:10 am on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Smart Meter Education in Video Format For your Viewing Pleasure.
http://thepowerfilm.org/smartmetervideos/external-videos/taking-action/
Select the issue you want to learn about from the List On the Right side panel.
Tommy Warshaw III
12:22 pm on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
George,
Isn't one thread enough for you to peddle the same tired, fear-mongering, anti-SmartMeter propaganda? Now you've posted it in a thread that has absolutely ZERO to do with subject.
sanford
5:05 pm on Sunday, July 8, 2012
I just moved here and I can tell you that your rates will skyrocket under 'smart meter' use. My previous location switched to them and my bill went up 50% immediately. Also, you will have to ask for a special meter if you like using solar/alt power supplies because the 'smart' meters do not run backward and ignore registering the savings of alt power devices such as solar.
Traci M. Radice
8:29 pm on Sunday, August 26, 2012
Sanford you should tell that to the PSC!
Traci M. Radice
8:30 pm on Sunday, August 26, 2012
Public Service Commission called an emergency hearing on Tues., Aug. 28th at 2pm to hear from the utilities as to their smart meter devices and their malfunctions, power surges, and fires. Any concerned citizen should plan to attend:
William Donald Schaefer Tower
6 St. Paul St., 16th Floor
Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 767-8000
MD Toll Free: 1-800-492-0474
Directions to the Commission
http://webapp.psc.state.md.us/intranet/AboutUs/directions_new.cfm