ComplaintsforLakeland Electric

• Initial Complaint

  12/04/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Unresolved

  More info

  Good morning my name is ************************* this is my second time filing a complaint against Lakeland electric there are some scams there for our day steal money from people. I've been having issues with them since I moved in my apartment this is the second complaint I filed the first complaint was a light bill that was supposed to be $500 ended up to $2,300 which they still can't tell me where this money went to this time maybe a week ago I like mine in my life is too on the 7th of December so in November of this month I end up sending extra money towards my light circle I can be ahead a month and my bank closed my account due to fraud and they the check balance for closed account but even though my light was paid already and I was extra when I was putting on Lakeland electric cut off my light made me repay the $200 that with my money not their money my money is always putting on extra to put my lights back on they're fraud when you call them they say that yes they could do that how is it possible that if my light bills are ready paid and I'm just paying extra and it bounced back how am I responsible for a check that's mine I believe that they owe me over $1,000 and I would like my money back they're frauds they have put my mother's old account until my account and tell my mom's account was paid they didn't reinstall my light back on a few months ago and now they're going again with mind you the bill is we paid it off so it was zero now they're trying to say that I still owe $126 these people are just trying to get money from everybody and they don't care who it is

  Business response

  12/04/2023

  Per the city ordinance, the account is receiving a deposit increase because of 2 returned payments on the account within a 12 month period.  

  Customer response

  12/14/2023

  That return check was paying my account ahead the light payment was already paid that was extra I was putting on my account. How are you going to charge me 200 for an extra payment I was putting on my account. So in other words you can't pay ahead with your company. 

  Customer response

  12/15/2023

  I been having issues with them and taking money from me  I  suffer from really bad heat rash I can't be in the heat these people turn off the lights even making crazy payment to them it took almost a month for them to turn them back on since every time I mad a payment it was something new every day literally every day it was a new payment this is my second complaint with them here all the proof i was they owe me 1000  I broke out in a really serious heat rash I'm sending pictures 

  Customer response

  12/15/2023

  I been having issues with them and taking money from me  I  suffer from really bad heat rash I can't be in the heat these people turn off the lights even making crazy payment to them it took almost a month for them to turn them back on since every time I mad a payment it was something new every day literally every day it was a new payment this is my second complaint with them here all the proof i was they owe me 1000  I broke out in a really serious heat rash I'm sending pictures 

  Customer response

  12/15/2023

  I been having issues with them and taking money from me  I  suffer from really bad heat rash I can't be in the heat these people turn off the lights even making crazy payment to them it took almost a month for them to turn them back on since every time I mad a payment it was something new every day literally every day it was a new payment this is my second complaint with them here all the proof i was they owe me 1000  I broke out in a really serious heat rash I'm sending pictures 

  Customer response

  12/17/2023

  Theses are the pictures of what heat did to me but they didn't care. . When paying the bill and I would call to see what time they where going to put it in . They kept charging me a different price every day for like a almost two weeks I explained about my and my daughter ***** problem they did care they specifically when I tried to explain the reason I needed some thine to come up with all the money my father just passed away they told me there a business not charity. Like really 

  Customer response

  12/17/2023

  I have more 

  Customer response

  12/17/2023

  I have more 

  Customer response

  12/17/2023

  I have more 

  Customer response

  01/09/2024

  I been having issues with them and taking money from me  I  suffer from really bad heat rash I can't be in the heat these people turn off the lights even making crazy payment to them it took almost a month for them to turn them back on since every time I mad a payment it was something new every day literally every day it was a new payment this is my second complaint with them here all the proof i was they owe me 1000  I broke out in a really serious heat rash I'm sending pictures 

• Initial Complaint

  06/21/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Unresolved

  More info

  I paid rent due for may $177. They forced me to pay double or turn off my power.

  Business response

  06/21/2023

  Customer processed an ACH payment on 5/29 then called on 5/30 to state payment would be returning and asked if we would reprocess payment. Customer was advised we do not reprocess the payment.  Customer processed another ACH payment on 5/31.  The 5/29 ACH payment returned as insufficient funds on 6/1 and customer was advised would need to replace payment using credit, debit or cash.  Customer made a cash payment.  Customer's 5/31 ACH payment returned and customer was advised would need to replace payment using credit, debit, or cash.  Customer disputed need to replace 2nd payment stating he had already replaced the payment, however, it is our policy that we do not accept ACH payments to cover return payments.

   

   

  Customer response

  06/21/2023

  
  Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  They charged me a ach rejection fee, which is to be paid on the next bill. The amount due was paid in full in the amount of $177. Because the ach was rejected is not a valid reason to threaten to turn off my power after I had satisfied the amount due for the month.
  Sincerely,
  
  *** ****

• Initial Complaint

  10/10/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  The day of hurricane Ian, Lakeland electric stopped at my house and told me they were going to have a tree trimming company come to trim my bamboo because it was hitting the power lines and causing power to be out. I agreed told him that was fine. After they came to the house the tree trimmers actually cut a significant amount of my bamboo ,not to mention a large tree next to it they cut almost completely gone. They left all of the debris and branches in my yard in huge pieces that I can't move as well as apparently some had fallen into the neighbor's yard. Today a tree trimming company came out to my neighbor's yard cleaned all of my tree debris out of her yard including raking bamboo leaves and threw all of it into my yard. Lakeland electric says they are not responsible to come and clean up cut down trees from a homeowner's yard however they came to my neighbor's house ,cleaned up her entire yard , and threw it into mine. I've called City Hall as well as Lakeland electric and no one is doing anything about it

• Initial Complaint

  09/01/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Today 8-31-22 my lights was turned off without any notification at all.... Only thing I received was my bill for September saying that my amount of $355 was due by September 9th in order to avoid interruption in my services..... Prior to this my light bill was due in the amount of 278.47 by August 10th my hands was crossed like an electric would not even grant me a extension from the 10th to the 16th saying that they only give is that just every 90 days I have five kids single mother everything in economy has gone up I begged your customer service representative literally in your office for 2 hours on the phone to be told and brushed off that her hands was tied and it was nothing for her to do but tell me that I have to pay $524 in order to get my lights turned back on..... My head my kids had no food to eat due to me not cooking I don't feel that this is right I'm not understanding how the 278 was paid after the checks was returned an amount of five so the only thing I should have been paid was the amount of the five return checks and amount of $30 per check totally $105 please make me understand how did $105 turn into $524...... When I just received my new bill stating that they received the $278.47 for the month of August I'm owing a back payment of $355 that was due on September 9th I feel like you guys robbed me took my money and didn't give a care in the world about me and my kids and I will being this is so unfair for a company like this to overlook families in the time of needs... How could some of you guys sleep at night knowing the things that you have did to people and families by turning their electric off due to a payment that was already received into your office you still cut my lights off after taking my money I need for someone in upper management to give me a call as soon as possible I called several times on yesterday the 31st put in two requests for callbacks to not receive not one supervisor to return my call back concerning my m

  Business response

  09/27/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2022/09/02) */ Lakeland Electric's customers are eligible for one payment arrangement every 90 days. The account was not eligible for an arrangement as a payment arrangement was requested May 11, 2022 and would not have been eligible for another one until August 9, 2022. A courtesy was given in July and an arrangement was entered making the account not eligible for another arrangement until October 10, 2022. Customer called on August 10th requesting a payment arrangement and was advised they were not eligible because they had just received one the previous month. Customer processed a payment for $278.45 on 8/10, and $275.45 and $248.45 on 8/12. The first payment of $278.45 made on 8/10 returned as insufficient funds on 8/15 and the customer was mailed a returned payment letter. The $275.45 payment was returned on 8/16 insufficient funds and the customer was mailed a returned payment letter. The customer made an ****** payment on 8/16 for $278.45, which covered the first returned payment. Another payment of $278.45 was processed through the customer's ebill account. The $248.45 payment returned on 8/17, causing another returned payment letter to be generated as well as a cash only letter, both of which were mailed to the customer. On 8/18, the $278.45 that was made on 8/16 returned insufficient funds. The returned payment letter and another cash only letter was mailed to the customer. At this point, the customer had 4 payments returned and only 1 payment had been replaced. Our policy is not to accept ACH payments for returned payments so only the ****** payment was not returned and covered the returned payments. This left 3 outstanding returns. The customer's service was disconnected for nonpayment of the returned payments. She was advised she had to pay $523.90 to restore services. This was for the second and third returned payment. As a courtesy, we did not require the 4th returned payment to be repaid for service to be restored as the remaining balance owing on the account was the new bill dated 8/30. A supervisor attempted to contact the customer on 8/31/2022 but had been provided the incorrect phone number. The customer was contacted by a supervisor 9/1/2022 but declined to speak with the supervisor stating she had already been contacted.

• Initial Complaint

  08/19/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  My power bill it's always been around low 200 high 100 so This month bill was 406 I call and requested to review or may send someone to reas meter again because it seem accurate there answer was fuel went up and why you think we are that we give discounts . Person was very disrespectful and didn't offer a solution 200 dollar increase it's not posible

  Business response

  09/06/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2022/08/23) */ Ms.*********, we are sorry to hear your encounter with the Lakeland Electric call center representative was unpleasant, as we strive to provide excellent service. We will pass this on to the representatives' supervisor to use as a coaching opportunity for the rep. We will have a representative from our customer advocate team contact you to discuss your concerns. Consumer Response /* (2000, 7, 2022/08/23) */ (The consumer indicated he/she ACCEPTED the response from the business.) I don't agree with they way I was spoken but I don't think I'm going to accomplish anything they didn't offer a solution ,

• Initial Complaint

  08/15/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  This complaint is related to Lakeland Electric's policies when setting up a new account if there is an overlap of > 2 weeks. I purchased a home in June, however my apartment lease did not expire until July. Rightfully, I was charged a set-up fee on the new account. However, I was surprised to find out that Lakeland Electric also charges a set-up fee on a customer's existing account if they have an overlap of > 2 weeks. I was told this setup fee is related to a "temporary" account that is created. Although this charge is only $10, Lakeland Electric is charging multiple customers this unnecessary fee and I strongly believe this policy should be reevaluated. Personally, it would have been in my best interest for Lakeland Electric to setup the new account, charge the new account fees, and take a new deposit. The separate and unrelated account for my apartment would have been paid out, then my deposit for that account would have been refunded and I would have avoided an "extra" set-up fee.

  Business response

  09/12/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2022/08/19) */ After a review of the accounts in question, Both accounts should not have been charged the set up fee and a refund has been applied to the active account for the set up fee.

• Initial Complaint

  07/27/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Unresolved

  More info

  The power to my house had to be disconnected due to someone stealing power from us and damaging out Meter box. Creating an unsafe situation. Had to come up with 5k to get this repaired. Man responsible was already in jail at the time. After having to come up with the funds and getting repairs done for power to be reconnected. It has been an never ending fight with trying to get someone out to hook up the power. Every time I call its the same. An order will b sent to the engineer department and they'll get to it when they inspect it first. Meanwhile me, my kids, and pets have to be homeless so not to suffer in a house in Florida heat with no AC or power what so ever. Doesn't matter to them though.

  Business response

  09/09/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 8, 2022/08/12) */ Customer's meter was part of a 4 gang meter bank where one customer had tampered with the meter bank causing one side of the meter bank to shift and creating a hazardous situation that was identified when a field worker was at the location to disconnect power for non-payment. The engineering department must inspect permitted work for reconnection of services. Unfortunately it took longer than normal for the customer's address to have power restored. At this time, everything has been inspected and services are active. Consumer Response /* (3000, 10, 2022/08/15) */ (The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.) Still doesn't explain a lot or why or who tampered with it.

• Initial Complaint

  05/20/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I am on a fixed income and my money is not available till the 28th of each month so every month Lakeland Electric attempts to cut the power for the last couple months i have been paying by bank as it takes several days for the money to be taken from the account and by then i have the money i asked for the date to be moved to a date that works for me they refuse to change my due date i believe its so i can be charged additional fees please i need my due date changed.

  Business response

  06/22/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2022/05/25) */ The bill is generated approximately the 8th-10th of each month and due 28 days later. The bills are showing due dates of the 4th - 8th for all bills that have generated. The payments, however, are being made by the disconnect date not the due date of the bill. This is causing the additional fees to be billed. Our Customer Service department has several social service agency contacts you may want to reach out to and see if they can assist you with getting the bill caught up so that your bills are paid by the due date rather than the disconnection date. Unfortunately, we are unable to change the due date on your bill due to the water services still being read manually.

• Initial Complaint

  02/24/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Unresolved

  More info

  This business already has collected a previous $300.00 deposit from me which is on file. They are attempting to collected an additional $240.00 stating it is because of a "city ordinance" requiring them to do so because of two late payments or payments that had to be resubmitted due to my employers direct deposit changes. My family has been devastated by Covid and Job loss this year and they are misusing a policy to intentionally collect money from people who are hurting the most financially during this time. They have always been paid their money and there is absolutely no reason to charge my family (or any other) this excessive and outrageous fee for a late payment. No one would work with me when I called to discuss the additional fee bringing our deposit to more than $500.00 which is more than double our normal monthly billing. This is fraud and price gouging at its worse while manipulating a city ordinance to do so. I don't even live in the city limits but reside in Polk county. I'll be filing a law suit if this is not resolved.

  Business response

  04/19/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2022/03/11) */ The deposit increase is due to 2 returned payments in a 12 month period, Sept 2021 and Feb 2022. The deposit increase is based on 2 times the average bill of your address. Your average bill is $280.00, which means a $560.00 deposit is required for your address, though your current increase only increases you to $540.00 at this time. Though the ordinance states that this increase be paid in 6 monthly installments, we can spread the increase over 10 months for you to reduce the financial impact, but we cannot remove the increase. Consumer Response /* (3000, 7, 2022/03/15) */ (The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.) Again, as previously expressed, any returned items were due to employers compensation deposits not made on time as they were affected by Covid restrictions/dates. Any and All items were paid in full immediately. Lakeland Electric did not submit either payment a second time or notify us that the first payment was not collected on time. Again, you received all your money for those two periods which occurred six months apart. Our monthly bill DOES NOT average 280.00 a month. I can provide a copy of every monthly bill which shows every monthly amount due below 280.00 The ordinance (which is a city ordinance) and the letter you provided actually states that you are only "authorized", not "required" or "mandated", to collect additional funds. You are not Required to collect any additional monies. We are county residents not city residents. We are forced to use your service as a monopoly in this area with no choice of another provider.

• Initial Complaint

  01/04/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  WE just moved into area, we set up auto payment and somehow auto pay was set to max of 300.00. So our first bill was over 500, we paid 300 and had a balance. A few days ago, a person came by to shut our power off for no payment. First off all this was not true 300 was and the next bill was not due until January 11th. After first paying on the automated system, that told us payment was done, the came out and turned our electric off. Simply for a 240 balance they sent us a letter or notifying us by phone that we had an issue we could have resolved it. The bottom line is you guys are crooks and cheats. You can clearly see some issue happened with this payment and you can see it was a mistake. However as apposed to sending a letter or at the very least calling you arbitrarily come and shut our power off. Now, after paying the back payment you refuse to turn my power back on timely. I am diabetic and my insulin is now spoiling. Not to mention you fried a computer when you killed the power. I want all late fees returned as well as I want them to pay for my medicine that spoiled.

  Business response

  01/31/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2022/01/11) */ 10/22/2021 Customer turned on services 11/12/2021 Customer enrolled in online billing and automatic payments 11/12/2021 Customer set up recurring payments with a maximum amount to draft of $300.00 on the bill due date starting on 11/15/2021 until further notice 11/16/2021 Bill generated for $552.06 due 12/14/2021 11/17/2021 email notification sent to customer advising of new bill ready - amount due $552.06 12/14/2021 Payment of $300.00 posted 12/14/2021 Bill generated for $391.35 due 1/11/2022, past due balance of $252.06, total owing $643.41 12/15/2021 email notification sent to customer advising of new bill ready - amount due $643.41 The bill indicates balance forward $252.06 due by 12/28/2021 to avoid disconnection We certainly understand the customer's frustrations, however, the customer signed up for electronic billing and received his bills electronically. The bill clearly states there was a past due balance and provided the amount due and disconnect date in 2 locations on the bill.

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