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"Power shock as winter bills blow budgets<!-- Insert Article Content --> <!-- Article Details -->
Electricity customers could be in for a seasonal shock The caution comes after an 83% increase in complaints about electricity companies from the end of 2007 to mid- 2008. Half of a record 10,190 electricity complaints received by Victoria’s Energy and Water Ombudsman were about billing. A spokesman for the St Vincent de Paul Society, He said he knew of pensioners whose bills had jumped by up to $500 when their meters were read. “It can be a real kick in the hip pocket,” he said. More than 800 people complained to the Ombudsman about estimated bills in 2007/08, nearly double the amount in 2006/07. One woman complained she had received a quarterly bill for $961.57 after two previous bills of less than $70 and one for $255. An The Ombudsman’s report released this month found “high `catch-up’” bills were a systemic problem. Mr “If there are estimations check, check, check and don’t be afraid to ask for extensions,” he said. Origin spokeswoman Michelle Hindson said the retailer had not experienced an AGL spokesman Andrew Scannell said all estimated bills were clearly marked Meter readings are the responsibility of electricity The distributors pass on the information to retailers such as AGL Sales, Origin Energy and TruEnergy. Retailers Mr Dufty said about 10 He The Ombudsman’s report found the Mr Scannell said AGL had apologised for the inconvenience to customers and believed the problems had since been fixed."
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This was an interesting article, seems that it’s all about the lack of actual reads in calculating the power bills… However the 17 percent hike in prices this year has probably seen some interesting “pro-rating” going on. I wonder what impact that a potential carbon tax will have on all this?
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