AtmosEnergy

AtmosEnergy

October 12, 2006

In August of 2006, we received a gas bill from Atmos Energy for $563.00. We were shocked! I called their customer service, and was told that I was charged this amount due to paying my bill late. This was very confusing. The customer service agent told me that I had been placed on the Budget Billing Program when Atmos became my gas provider last year.

I had no idea that I was on this program, much less what it meant. However, the agent insisted that I was responsible for this bill even though my current gas charges only amounted to $60.00. The agent went on to inform me that if I did not pay this amount in whole that my gas services would be terminated. I told the agent that it would be impossible to pay that amount due to my limited income. The agent then told me that if I did not pay this amount of $563.00 in whole, that I would then be responsible for an additional $175.00 deposit and a $65.00 reconnection fee. I felt threatened. I told the agent that there was nothing I could do to pay such a large amount of money, and ended the call.

I called Atmos Energy back an hour later and spoke to another agent. This agent informed me that I could pay half of the $563.00 now, and and the other half on the next month gas bill. I told her that I still could not afford that amount . The agent then stated, "I'm not supposed to do this, but if you pay $188.00 down today, we will then bill you in equal installments of $188.00 per month with each gas bill until the balance is taken care of. You will be able to keep your gas services." Although I did not think that I should pay Atmos $563.00 just for paying my gas bill late, I agreed. I agreed, because I had no other choice. I paid the $188.00 that day, and called in the receipt number.

The next month (September), we received a bill for $407.00. The bill indicated the receipt of $188.00, but did not reflect any type of a payment plan. I called customer service and was told that I was responsible for the entire amount of $407.00. When I questioned about my payment plan, I was told that no such arrangement had been noted to my account. I asked to speak with a supervisor. The supervisor told me that there was no note placed in my account indicating a payment plan. No matter how much I promised that I had made such an arrangement, the supervisor refused to listen to me. I was told that I had to pay the full amount or be terminated.

It is now the beginning of October, and I am still unable to pay such a large amount of money. I am currently a member of a low income family due to some unfortunate events that took place this year. There is no energy assistance available for Atmos Energy in my area due to the dramatically high electricity bills this summer. I barely was able to get my TXU electric bill of almost $500.00 (for one month and conserving) paid. My current gas bill from Atmos Energy is $437.00, including this months usage charges. Atmos terminated my gas service today, and the supervisor said that I had only one option. I have to pay the $437.00, a $175.00 deposit, and a $65.00 reconnection fee. The total is $677.00 in order to have gas services at my house. That is more than my monthly house payment!!!!

I am a hardworking mother of two children, with one on the way soon. I feel like I am being punished for something that I had no control over. The thought of being charged over $500.00 just for paying my gas bill late is just outrageous and insane. Atmos continues to refuse to offer me any type of installment agreement to restore services. There is no financial assistance available in my area for Atmos Energy services, and my family is forced to go without gas services (there are no other alternative gas services in Texas). If anyone has any helpful suggestions, please help!

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