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Law Suit Charges Firm Put Dubious Charges On Vectren Bills

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Law Suit Charges Firm Puts Dubious Charges On Vectren Bills
DAVE STAFFOR FROM INDIANA LAWYERS

An untold number of Vectren utility customers were duped into paying dubious utility-line protection plan charges that went to a different company after Vectren presumably took a kickback on the charge, a proposed class-action lawsuit claims.

The suit filed Tuesday before Judge David Dreyer in Marion Superior Court Civil Division 10 alleges Nicor Energy Services Co. of Naperville, Ill., entered into an agreement to include unregulated charges on Vectren bills.

On those bills, “Nicor categorizes its charges as ‘Non Vectren Energy Delivery Charges’ in contrast to ‘Vectren Delivery and Supply Charges,’ which masks and fails to disclose what the charges are actually for,” according to the suit filed today by Cohen & Malad P.C. of Indianapolis.

“Utilities provide essential services and Hoosiers shouldn’t have to scour utility bills to see whether a private third party company has slipped charges onto their utility bills,” Cohen & Malad partner Lynn Toops said in a statement announcing the suit.

A Nicor spokesman said the company does not comment on pending litigation. A Vectren spokeswoman did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment on the lawsuit.

Lead plaintiff Kristyn Plummer alleges in the complaint that her bill for February of this year contained a charge of $45.50 for “Vectren Home Solutions” in addition to delivery and supply charges. The amount appears in the balance due section of the bill, but a fine-print disclaimer says nonpayment won’t result in service disconnection.

“You must directly contact your service provider at the number above to elect to cancel these optional services,” says the disclaimer, which does not name Nicor. “Your responsibility for these charges is dependent upon the terms of your agreement with the service provider.”

The suit claims that regulators in Illinois and consumer-protection experts warn that the line protection plans are of little or no value. “Nicor’s plans are not insurance, but essentially valueless repair plans that consumers would not knowingly purchase because these plans are unnecessary, expensive, and provide very little coverage, if any at all,” the suit alleges. It calls Nicor’s arrangement with Vectren a “scheme to scam public utility customers.”

The suit claims that the charges began appearing on Plummer’s bill last August when she moved and transferred Vectren service from one apartment to another, presumably opting into the service then. Even after Plummer called Vectren to opt out of the service when she noticed the fee last November, the charges continued to appear on her bills for the next several months, according to the suit.

The complaint seeks a class action for all Vectren customers who were billed for a “Non Vectren Energy Delivery Charge.” It asserts these charges violate the Indiana Deceptive Consumer Sales Act, the Indiana Telephone Solicitations Act, the Indiana Commercial Solicitation Act, and represent unjust enrichment for Nicor.

The suit notes Nicor also operates in Indiana under the assumed names of Vectren Services, Pivotal Home Solutions, NIPSCO Home Solutions, Nicor Home Solutions, Nicor National, Nicor Services, Service Protection Group, D.M. Dykstra, Hawthorn Heating & Air Conditioning, and Tradewinds Heating & Air Conditioning.

The suit is Kristyn Plummer, on behalf of herself and all others similarly situated, v. Nicor Energy Services Co., 49-D10-1705-PL20673.

Vectren’s Official Statement Concerning The Nicor Energy Services Law Suit

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Vectren’s Official Statement Concerning The Nicor Energy Services Law Suit

Nicor Energy Services Co. (doing business as Pivotal Home Solutions) offers ancillary home services for multiple utilities throughout the U.S., including Vectren Energy Delivery. Examples of these optional services include appliance repair and maintenance plans and indoor/outdoor piping or plumbing repair plans in which customers pay for insurance to cover expenses to repair, maintain and/or replace equipment in their home. This sort of home warranty/service plan cover issues typically not covered by homeowner’s or renter’s insurance.

Pivotal Home Solutions and similar companies have been offering these services to Vectren customers for more than 10 years. They are typically offered to new customers during the move-in process or through direct mail pieces delivered directly to the customer’s home. Enrollment is completely voluntary, and the customer must proactively and affirmatively agree to enroll in the service(s); these services are not part of a default plan when becoming a Vectren customer.

The charge for the service(s), should a customer choose to enroll, is added to the Vectren bill to provide the customer a convenient bundled payment option. These charges are listed separately from the energy service charges as “Non Vectren Energy Delivery Charges” in both the bill summary section and a separate, bolded section on the bill, along with the phone number to contact the warranty company should the customer have questions or need to cancel the service(s). Likewise, the following description is listed below the bill line item.

“Non Vectren Energy Delivery charges, including charges for Vectren Home Solutions, are separate from the regulated utility charges of Vectren Energy Delivery. Failure to pay these optional services will not result in the disconnection of your utility service. You must directly contact your service provider at the number above if you elect to cancel these optional services. Your responsibility for these charges is dependent upon the terms of your agreement with the service provider.”

CHANNEL 44 NEWS: Former Evansville Firefighter Michael Loveless Reaches Plea Deal

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Former Evansville Firefighter Michael Loveless Reaches Plea Deal

A former Evansville firefighter accused of rape reaches a plea deal. The jury was seated Monday in the case, but Michael Loveless reached a plea deal. Loveless was on trial, facing charges of rape, criminal confinement, intimidation and battery,…

WEINER GOEST TO COURT

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National Championships Arrive for USI Track & Field

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The 25th-ranked University of Southern Indiana men’s track & field team will send four student-athletes to the NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships Thursday through Saturday, May 25-27 in Bradenton, Florida. Junior Jessica Lincoln (Palatine, Indiana) will also make the trip as the only qualifier on the Screaming Eagles’ women’s team.

Moving into the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Top-25 Computer Rankings for the first time in four weeks, the men will be led at the national championships by junior Bastian Grau (Höchstadt, Germany). He Will bec ompeting in the 1,500-meters where he is seeded fourth and the 5,000-meters where he recorded the fifth fastest time in NCAA II this season. Grau will look to add to his championship resume after capturing the national title in the mile at the indoor championships this past winter.

Two Eagles will appear in the 3,000-meter steeplechase with senior Chase Broughton (Marengo, Indiana) seeded 11th. Broughton finished sixth in the event at the 2016 national meet en route to his first All-America honors. Junior James Cecil (Owensboro, Kentucky) will make his first appearance in an NCAA II Track & Field Championship event after earning the 20th and final seed in the steeplechase.

Also making his first appearance in an NCAA II Track & Field Championship event, senior Noah Lutz (Evansville, Indiana) owns the 12th-fastest time in the 10,000-meters. Lincoln will also compete in the 10,000-meters in the women’s event where she is seeded 19th.

Preliminaries for the 1,500-meters will be held Thursday, May 25 at 5:10 p.m. with the finals taking place Saturday, May 27 at 4:45 p.m. The 3,000-meter steeplechase preliminaries will also be run on Thursday at 6:55 p.m., while the finals are set for Friday, May 26 at 6:30 p.m.  Lincoln and Lutz will compete in the finals of the 10,000-meters to end Thursday’s slate with Lincoln competing at 7:55 p.m. and Lutz running at 8:35 p.m. Grau will compete in the 5,000-meter final on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in what will be the final event of the Eagles’ track & field season.

YESTERYEAR: Hose House #15

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YESTERYEAR: Hose House #15

by PAT SIDES For Willard Library 

In the decade after 1900, the area surrounding Bayard Park was developed into a neighborhood of substantial residences. The area was then on the eastern outskirts of Evansville, and when plans were announced to build Hose House #15 to protect the houses, some homeowners were concerned that such a functional structure would diminish the neighborhood’s visual appeal. The architectural design conformed to the residences, however, and construction was completed in the fall of 1909, along with a police substation offering more protection. Located at 960 S. Grand Avenue, Hose House #15 closed in 1962 but has since been used for other purposes. This photo was taken soon after the hose house opened.

Home Improvement Fraudsters Operating in Vanderburgh County

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The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office has received reports of asphalt paving scammers operating in Vanderburgh County. The Gibson County Sheriff’s Office first reported on these fraudulent pavers visting their jurisdiction earlier today.

Paving scams and other forms of home improvement fraud occur when criminals try to pass themselves off as legitimate contractors, offering services at a substantial or unrealistic discount.

Warning Signs

Few reputable contractors sell their services door to door. You should be skeptical of an offer if:

  • The contractor claims to have “left over” material from a nearby job.
  • The contractor proposes an unrealistic timetable (such as grading, preparing and paving a driveway in one afternoon).
  • The contractor does not appear to have the proper equipment for the job.
  • The contractor uses high pressure tactics to persuade you.
  • The contactor quotes a price that seems too good to be true.
  • The contractor is unable or unwilling to provide any references or is not listed with the Better Business Bureau or on file with the Vanderburgh County Building Commission.
  • The contractor claims to be from out of town, or claims to be local but his vehicle displays an out of state license plate.

Suggestions

From experience, we offer the following suggestions to help avoid becoming the victim of home improvement fraud or theft:

  • Don’t allow a door to door solicitor into your home, period.
  • Don’t commit to a home improvement project on the spur of the moment.
  • Select a contractor with care. Check with the Consumer Protection Division of the Attorney General’s Office and the Better Business Bureau to determine if the contractor you are considering has a history of complaints.
  • Deal locally. Use an established contractor with ties to the community.
  • Be wary of a low price. Time and material drive the price of any job. If a bid seems too good to be true, it probably is.
  • Don’t commit to a job unless you have been given a formal bid. Project bids should be in writing and clearly spell out what work is to be performed.
  • Indiana law requires written home improvement contracts for jobs exceeding $150.00. Before signing a contract, make certain it clearly defines: the material to be used, the work to be performed, the timetable for completion, and the total price along with provisions for any contingency expenses. Make sure the contractor’s name and contact information appears on the contract. The contractor must sign the contract and leave you a copy.
  • Verify the contractor is licensed, bonded and insured. Contact the Vanderburgh County Building Commission to verify a contractor’s license is in good standing.
  • Avoid paying for a project until the work is completed; if this is unavoidable never pay more than 1/3 of the total cost as a down payment.
  • A reputable contractor should guarantee his workmanship. Get a copy of any warranty or guarantee in writing.
  • Retain all records related to the project, including any correspondence.

If you have been a victim of home improvement fraud or theft, please call 911. To submit a tip, please click here.

 

US STUDENT LOAN DEBT

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Adopt A Pet

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Picante is a 2-year-old male Australian Cattle Dog mix. He’s a very strong, energetic guy! His Cardio for Canines walkers say he is very confident, and doesn’t chase other animals but could use a family that jogs or is active a lot outside. His $100 adoption fee includes his neuter, microchip, vaccines, and more. Contact the Vanderburgh Humane Society at (812) 426-2563 for adoption details!

 

Vanderburgh County Drainage Board Agenda May 23, 2017

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Vanderburgh County Drainage Board Agenda May 23, 2017

Call to Order
Pledge of Allegiance
Approval of Previous Minutes
Midwestern Pet Foods (Phase II)-Final Drainage Plan Approval Ditch Maintenance Claims
Other Business
Public Comment
Adjournment

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