Should You Pay Your Utility Bills Last?
November 13, 2008
When the telephone continues to ring with debt collection calls, it gets frustrating. With no end in sight, you are tempted to pay them and skip your utilities for a month or two. After all, isn’t it impossible for utility companies to shut your services down? Not necessarily.
In recent years, people juggled bills to cover credit cards and car loans while putting off utility bills. Often people assume electricity or water can’t be turned off when it that’s simply not the case. Unless you are disabled, utility companies expect to get paid.
While utility companies used to be more lenient regarding outstanding bills, a recent Wall Street Journal article states they are getting more aggressive about collecting money from delinquent customers due to the current economy. As a result, an increasing number of people are being left without power.
In New York, the amount of money owed on past due utilities of at least 60 days jumped 22 percent compared to last year. As of September, outstanding utility bills in New York totaled $611.3 million.
In neighboring state New Jersey, the Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc. is the biggest utility company. According to Ralph Izzo, PSEG Chief Executive, “We’ve been diligent in our shutoff activities.”
People from all backgrounds are facing economic duress and the stress of unpaid utility bills. Eric Hartsfield, customer service division director of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, states, “We’re seeing an uptick in middle class people who have never seen this situation before.”
So what do you do when you are faced with outstanding bills, relentless debt collection efforts and possible collection abuse? Instead of waiting for utility companies to shut off your services and tell the credit reporting agencies, take action.
Call the utility companies to explain your situation. Ask for a payment plan or some type of relief. Contact a professional to discuss your financial situation and your possible options. Don’t wind up up in the dark when a professional can shed some light on your financial future.
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