By Samantha Vercellino Hoping to get the property’s electric service switched back to his name, the Chicago landlord immediately called ComEd to sort out the details. According to Mark, a company representative claimed it would be an easy fix. However, two days later, Mark was hit with a $1,048 power bill.…...
Hello October, hello lower gas prices!
By Samantha Vercellino As October rolls in, consumers begin preparing themselves for the arrival of two things: Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Lattes and higher utility bills. But Illinoisans may be singing a different tune this heating season, because major Illinois utilities are charging consumers 25-27 percent less to heat their homes…...
CUBPowerCalculator.com: Go ahead…try it again!
A new season means new electric rates. That’s why we’ve updated our free calculator to reflect fall electric prices coming to Illinois. The CUB Power Calculator—a tool that shows how your utility’s supply rates stack up against an alternative supplier’s plan— can now provide a price comparison through May 2016.…...
An electric deal from…..Comcast?
By Samantha Vercellino Everybody knows that Comcast bundles cable, Internet and phone services, but did you know the company now sells electricity, too? Recently, a CUB staffer found a pitch for Comcast’s Energy Rewards plan in his email inbox. We decided to take a closer look at the deal. These…...
CUB helps granddaughter secure $1,286 refund for grandmother
By Samantha Vercellino Ever since her grandmother fell ill, Cheryl took over the responsibility of paying her utility bills. Handling her affairs never troubled Cheryl until the 97-year old racked up $1,200 in electric and gas charges with the alternative supplier Spark Energy. Concerned her grandmother signed up with Spark…...
Consumer sends heartfelt thank you after CUB saves her $60/month
By Samantha Vercellino Wanda Cunningham didn’t know how CUB could help her lower her high phone bills when she first called the consumer group. Now—one year later—the Olympia Fields resident credits her $60 a month savings to that fateful call. Wanda’s call was fielded by Bilingual Environmental Outreach Coordinator Ivonne Hernandez…...
Beware of utility imposters
More than 1,000 consumers have signed CUB’s petition asking legislators to help fight the utility imposter scam. In this awful scam, con artists knock on your door or call you, pretending to be from the regulated utility and demanding quick payment of a bill to avoid a service shut-off. It’s been…...
