ComplaintsforAlabama Power Company

• Initial Complaint

  01/12/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  My husband and I filed bankruptcy on 5/1/20 and Alabama Power. I have been paying my power bill monthly with no issues until recently. I received a my bill on 7/27/20 via email and went to pay it and it stated that I had a credit then I started receiving emails about I've started service at the address I've been in since 2018. I went to check my account and once I was discharged on 8/3/20 my account was closed and a new one created with a balance of $1001. They were trying to charge me a $585 security deposit along with an account establishment fee and I have a $90 balance on my previous account. I called to get this issue rectified and they stated that they received notice which they shouldn't have because they were not listed as a creditor on my bankruptcy. The only way they knew I was in bankruptcy was went Perfect Heating and Air ran my credit. Even if that's the case it didn't give them a right to close my account and have me to sign a reaffirmation agreement when they wasn't included in the bankruptcy proceedings. The sad part about it is the total amount of my bills that was paid from May-August was forwarded over to my new account. I know I'm not the only this has happened to and they someone needs to look into how Alabama Power conducts business.

  Business response

  01/31/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2022/01/14) */ Spoke with customer and resolved the issue.

• Initial Complaint

  12/28/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I live at **** ****** ** in **********. In the last three weeks (since December 13th 2021 to be specific), I've paid Alabama Power $581.11 leaving me with a small balance of $100.00. Today (Tuesday, December 28th) my service was interrupted over that $100.00, and when I called to get an extension until Friday, literally a three day extension, I was told no, that I had to pay the $100.00 within the next 24hrs. So, Alabama Power has shut my service off over $100.00, three days after Christmas, and won't even give me a 3 day extension. My wife and I are still in disbelief that we are sitting in this house with 2 toddlers and no electricity over $100,, especially after paying $581.11 just this month alone. And the fact that they wouldn't even give me an extension until Friday when I get paid is just bad business. I mean seriously, it's 3 days after Christmas and this billion dollar electric company is disconnecting good paying people over $100, and not even giving payment extensions. It is my belief that Alabama Power is disconnecting service for even the smallest amounts owed in an attempt to rack up on reconnect fees. Those $50 and $75 reconnect fees add up... Alabama Power is running a racket with these service interruptions.

  Business response

  01/26/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2022/01/07) */ We attempted to reach this customer by phone to discuss these concerns but have not received a response. The service was restored on the same day when the payment was received. An arrangement for the $100 balance was also made at the same time.

• Initial Complaint

  11/30/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  My name is ****** *******. I hired ******************** to rent out the duplex I now own on *******************. When ******************** started to manage and then added power to the left (Side A) unit, there was a mixup in the billing and the two sides were reversed. I was charged for my tenant's bill for Side A, when I suppose to be paying for Side B (right side). I have been dealing with Alabama Power for over 2 months to get this fixed. They finally checked the meters, changed the addresses on the accounts, but then told me there was no problem and refused to refund the overbilling. I am attaching the September and November bills that make it clear they made a mistake. I just want them to refund the overbilling I paid, which clearly is due to their mistake.

  Business response

  12/20/2021

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2021/12/07) */ This issue has been resolved and the consumer is satisfied with the resolution. Consumer Response /* (2000, 7, 2021/12/08) */ (The consumer indicated he/she ACCEPTED the response from the business.) The company recognized their mistake in the billing and provided an appropriate refund.

• Initial Complaint

  11/09/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I made a payment on my account with alabama power on october XX XXXX. my services were interrupted on november X XXXX . i had not received notice nor had i received a disconnection notice on my bill . alabama power stated they sent out a postcard with the information about my disconnection date. i have not received anything,.i called several times to get the fee waived off of my account.I have young kids in my home even a baby. my account number is XXXXX-XXXXX please help me i have even been asking for CEO **** ********** contact information and i couldnt get his infromation i was told ac account specialist supervisor would contact me.

  Business response

  12/06/2021

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2021/11/16) */ I spoke with Ms. ***** on 11/15/21. Explained that a disconnection notification letter was mailed on November 2, 2021 after she failed to pay her bill by the due date. Customer says she did not receive the disconnection letter. Advised we will waive the reconnection fee as a one time courtesy. Explained to pay future bills by due date to avoid interruption of service and also set customer up to receive bill reminder text alerts.

• Initial Complaint

  10/14/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Back in August of this year I put in a change of address because my mother passed away and I had to move. I stopped the service on Polk St on 9/15/21 and Alabama Power still continue to charge me and a reconnect fee when I moved to my new address which is 2116 Brewton. I called several times to get this corrected and they still And I take to ****** to correct this bill and he said its nothing he can do about this payment and told me I will be in the dark on the 18th of this month Im on SSI I get paid once a month and this 248.00 I paid is for an old bill not my new bill

  Business response

  11/05/2021

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2021/10/25) */ I've made several attempts to reach the consumer over the past ten days. Three voicemail messages were left at the phone number provided by the consumer but I have not received a response. The consumer is welcome to call or visit our office and we will be happy to assist him.

• Initial Complaint

  10/09/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  In May this year, I bought a Maytag Washing Machine from Al. Power Local Office. About 2 months ago it started not Agitating properly. My wife talked to local office and they told her it was a Maytag warranty issue. they gave her a # to call. She called and after about 2 wks I went to office and they gave me the # and i called and got a Maytag rep in Ark. after about an hr. they told me they could not get in contact with a Maytag business and would keep trying. after a couple days I called again & got a Maytag rep in Tenn. After about an hr she told me she could not get anyone & for me to find someone to fix it and they would reimburse me up to $150. I told her to replace my machine then and she wouldn't. I called a business in Tuscaloosa and they told me Maytag owed him money now and would not pay. I called the Appliance Mgr. in Bham office and she told me it was up to Maytag to fix. I called her a couple times complaining. She now has my # blocked.

  Business response

  10/19/2021

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2021/10/13) */ Contact Name and Title: ***** ******** Contact Phone: XXX-XXX-XXXX Contact Email: ********@southernco.com See attached document Consumer Response /* (2000, 7, 2021/10/16) */ (The consumer indicated he/she ACCEPTED the response from the business.) Can't get the yes to unclick...I want to wait and see if they come thru with replacing the washer. The way these people operate, I'll have to see the truck backed into my drive with the new washer.

• Initial Complaint

  10/02/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  My usage is always around 600-700 kwh. My meter was changed last week and at the time my power bill was reading at $45 four days later my bill went up to $217

  Business response

  10/20/2021

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2021/10/05) */ Spoke with customer and confirmed that issue has already been resolved.

• Initial Complaint

  10/01/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  Alabama power failed to provide the need to documents in order for me to obtain Needed documentations in order to obtain financial assistance The error began at or about may when I could not obtain an account with Alabama power for several months I'm move from 1 location to the other because of mold and health issues I lived in it you have from August 31 to September 8 I took it to resolve the issue with Alabama power And And could not come to an agreement documentation was submitted late there by I would have to reapply And Alabama power inform me that my power would be disconnected I'm looking to resolve this issue

• Initial Complaint

  09/22/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On September 22, 2021 requested on line to start service I filled out the application answer all questions, then I was given a confirmation # with instructions that said it would take 24 to 48 hours before account # would be issued and to confirm my email address before I could access my account info so I waited and did confirm my email so then I was instructed that a $40 charge would be applied to the first month bill and $500 was needed. So I call and spoke with a representative and I was wondering what the $500 what's for and she explained to me that it was needed for a deposit security deposit and she also informed me that once I paid the deposit that I would I could call back and give him my confirmation number and was in a few minutes power would be turned on at the residence ask her but I need to go in or can I do it over the phone or how can I do it she said that was my preference so I decided just to go back online and pay for it that way I ended up paying the $500 call back like I was supposed to with the confirmation number and then I'm told that power cannot be cut on their due to the fact the previous tenant how to build and I was responsible for it I asked the gentleman I said how come I'm responsible for somebody else's bill that is not that's not fair cuz nobody else pays my bills I'm responsible for my bills he said that my father was the person that owns the bill and that I was authorized to on his account well I informed the gentleman that my dad had been dead for over a year and that I was authorized on his account because he was very sick and his ammonia level would cause him to forget things so I would try to help my dad keep up with his finances but after my dad had passed his ex-wife continue to live here and I was under the impression she had had the power swapped in her name well I guess that never did happen I mean after my dad died. Assumed that they would just cut the power off in that you know he would have a security deposit we'll take care of things while I was out then for him that he didn't have to pay a security deposit and I know for a fact my Dad's credit score was in the 300 range my credit score is 704 and I have to pay a deposit of $500 and he didn't have to pay a deposit not right there don't seem fair either what makes my dad's different from me my credit score is better his credit scores lower we lived in two separate houses and I definitely don't understand how they can justify making me pay for my dad's bill that someone else ran up while he was dead I mean I would be responsible if I had lived with my dad but I didn't and his ex-wife one that's responsible has passed away and she was the one that was living here and she she's the one that purchased the property from I mean this is really ridiculous just because you buy property from someone doesn't mean that you should be responsible for all of her bills that they accumulated on this property I mean Heck if you're going to do it that way then why not just say hey look if she did a crime I'm responsible for them to I mean might as well all I'm saying is I should be held accountable for me yes I did take care of my dad when he was dying I did what a daughter is supposed to do help with a loved one I also did the responsible thing I called out I did call the power company the water company the gas company and I informed him that my dad had passed away I even sent in a death certificate to the Social Security Office I done my part now what am I supposed to do I don't have an extra $600 come up with a 500 was hard enough and it's getting cold out I have three kids you like oh well

  Business response

  10/13/2021

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2021/09/24) */ We were unable to reach the customer at the number provided. We believe the issue has been resolved. Consumer Response /* (3000, 7, 2021/09/25) */ (The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.) I had no choice but to pay my dad's bill or do with out power. But I was not contacted Business Response /* (4000, 10, 2021/09/29) */ have attempted to contact the customer at all numbers and email provided with no success.

• Initial Complaint

  09/08/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On September 1st, 2021 I mailed off my electric bill ($400) as I always do without issue. Come September 8th, 2021 my lights are all of a sudden turned off, I thought it was an outage at first but NONE of my neighbors lights are out, that is when I realized they turned off my lights even after I paid them. There's no way they didn't get the money order and I doubt for one moment it takes a whole week to receive one as like I said I've been doing this for the longest and never had this issue. My food will be no good and I would really like it if they'd turn my lights back on or else I will be forced to sue. I've been sitting on the phone waiting for someone to answer me since 4:00 and they close at 5 PM it is now 5:03 PM. They are horrible and extremely unprofessional.

  Business response

  09/24/2021

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2021/09/09) */ We reached out to the customer and addressed her concerns. She has my name and contact information should she have any other questions.

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩