Company Response
11/8/2021
The customer's complaint is in regards to billing.
Ameren Illinois' Response
Ameren Illinois conducted a thorough investigation of the subject complaint, which revealed the following information.
On 12/02/19, Ameren Illinois records indicate Ms. Torres established natural gas and electric service at 50 Enchanted Gardens Eureka, IL 61530, account # 52544-55151.
Ameren Illinois assessed a deposit for Ms. Torres when the account was established due to a lack of credit information available when the connect request was made. The total deposit of $268.00 was twice the average bill ($134.00) at the time of application.
On 04/20/2021, Ameren Illinois issued a statement for $486.00 due on 05/11/2021 which included $69.06 current electric charges, $80.75 current gas charges, $121.19 Budget Bill adjustment and $215.00 previous balance.
On 05/07/2021, Ameren Illinois received two payments of $50.15, totaling $100.30.
On 05/14/2021, the payments received on 05/07/21 totalling $100.30 were returned by Mr. Loos-Williams' financial institution. Returned check charges of $30.00 ($15.00 for each returned payment) were applied to the account.
On 05/21/2021, Ameren Illinois issued a statement for $787.00 due on 06/11/2021 which included $83.23 current electric charges, $65.94 current gas charges, $121.83 Budget Bill adjustment, $486.00 previous balance and $30.00 returned check charges.
On 06/03/2021, a credit of $3.38 from accrued interest on the deposit was applied to Ms. Torres' account.
On 06/18/2021, Ameren Illinois issued a statement for $1,004.47 due on 07/11/2021 which included $81.82 current electric charges, $45.67 current gas charges, $144.21 Budget Bill adjustment. $736.85 prior balance and minus the $3.38 deposit interest refund.
On 07/01/2021, a payment of $50.15 posted to the account.
On 07/08/2021, two payments of $50.15 posted to the account for a total of $100.30.
On 07/08/2021, a pledge of $600.00 was made to the account from Woodford County Heartline.
On 07/14/2021, a payment of $600.00 posted to the account to satisfy the pledge made on 07/08/2021.
On 07/21/2021, Ameren Illinois issued a statement for $525.02 due on 08/11/2021 which included $97.77 current electric charges, $22.71 current gas charges, $150.52 Budget Bill adjustment and $254.02 prior balance.
On 08/17/2021, a payment of $51.85 posted to the account.
On 08/20/2021, Ameren Illinois issued a statement for $696.17 due on 09/11/2021 which included $103.37 current electric charges, $23.95 current gas charges, $95.68 Budget Bill adjustment and $473.17 prior balance.
On 09/03/2021, two payments, one for $100.00 and one for $50.00, posted to the account totaling $150.00.
On 09/20/2021, Ameren Illinois issued a bill statement for $769.17 due on 10/11/2021 which included $126.19 current electric charges, $23.01 current gas charges, $73.80 Budget Bill adjustment and $546.17 prior balance.
On 10/04/2021, two payments of $51.85 posted to the account totaling $103.70.
On 10/18/2021, Ameren Illinois issued a notice of disconnection for non-payment for the past due balance of $473.66 with 10/28/2021 as a last day to pay.
On 10/20/2021, Ameren Illinois issued a statement for $888.47 due on 11/11/2021 which included $115.41 current electric charges, $28.48 current gas charges, $79.11 Budget Bill adjustment and $665.47 prior balance. This statement included the following important account message:
On 10/21/2021, a pending deferred payment agreement was established through the Ameren Illinois Customer Portal on the total account balance of $888.47 with a down payment of $222.00 required on or before 10/28/2021 and nine installments (eight at $75.00 and a final installment of $66.47).
On 10/22/2021, Ameren Illinois attempted to contact the customer through collection calls with the following information and results: "Disc Date: 2021-10-28, Disc Amt: $473.66, Phone No: (309) 501-1295; 08:29:38 - Answering Machine; 09:58:21 - Answering Machine; 13:06:48 - Answering Machine; 16:29:35 - Answering Machine."
On 10/22/2021, Mr. Loos-Williams (fiancée) advised Ameren Illinois Customer Care that he believed Ameren Illinois was discriminating against him due to his disability. The caller spoke with a member of the leadership team who advised on the disconnection process and offered energy assistance information.
On 10/28/2021, Ms. Torres received an energy assistance pledge of $1,100.00 from LIHEAP.
On 11/01/2021, the security deposit held on the account was reviewed for refund due to the recently received energy assistance pledge from LIHEAP paying the account balance in full.
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