Security deposit ripoff

Being an unemployed person in Michigan is bad enough. Top that with a forced move to another rental space and DTE's so called "security deposit" now suddenly required to setup our new service. I can't recall ever having to pay a security deposit for electric so this was all new to me. Was I delinquent in my current payment?, no. Was I a couple months behind in my payment?, no. Then what is the problem?

As it turns out, during the 8 months of my unemployemnt my wife and I were behind in out DTE payments so DTE would only transfer our electric service once my wife and I paid out $215.00 we didn't have! I was led to believe that the so called security deposit was to cover the current bill at my last residance and cover the transfer costs. I really didn't have a problem with this at the time.

Needless to say, a month later I received a notice that my balance was outstanding and now we have a $270.00 bill! What happened to the security deposit covering these costs? Simply put, it didn't. Now I'm steaming mad and have to call these idiots back. The DTE rep then proceeded to tell me that the security deposit wasn't used for anything other than to promote I pay on time for the next 12 months. So, instead of taking our hard earned money and using it for their services, they stick a "security deposit" label on it and hold on to it for really no good reason other than to penalize me and my wife and countless others who have fell on hard times.

Now correct me if I'm wrong, but in the great state of Michigan things aren't going so well for a whole lot of unemployed folks. DTE's behavior is reprehensible to say the least and someone or some group of people need to group together and do something about it.

I'm open to suggetions.

DTE has quite a scam going... I was told I needed to pay a security deposit (%150.00) because it was required for new service and was to be returned after payments were made on time for a year. I moved after 6 months--all pmts were made PRIOR to due date during this time. THEN had to pay additional %130 (total $280) on new place because PREVIOUS account at this address hadn't paid on time. And (Of course)It would all be returned in 1 year. One year later when I requested deposit back I was refused because I had been 3 or 4 days late (me or POSTING?) one time. And so it would be another year before I would see deposit. Same story at the 2 year mark. With the number of people losing their jobs in MI, DTE has found just one more way to extract their pound of flesh. Soon they may require the first born child. All of this is my "fault" for not checking to see if bills were paid at address I was moving to. Who knew you're not only responsible for your own electric bill but everyone elses???

Lots of complaints re: DTE and their many scams etc... How about being too arrogant to check their own equiptment?
Three years ago a friend of mine on the budget plan noticed the amount of electric usage hadn't changed. Checking old bills she saw the amount of useage hadn't gone up in six months. When she called DTE she was told they would get someone out to check the meter "right away." "Right away" turned out to be 6 months and several phone calls later by my friend. By this time her "credit" on bill was over $500.00. But-Of course-nothing was wrong with their equiptment ...and bill did not change. More calls on my friends part. It took them more than two years to finally figure out the meter wasn't working. When they did they ask why she hadn't reported a problem... I live in a 700 sq ft mobile home-no washer or dryer or dishwasher-my bill previously around $50 a month took a $45 a month jump last August. When I ask to have the meter checked I was told I must need new appliances...nothing wrong with their meter.

Just called dte re: a security deposit of $160 paid by me on June 11, 2009. Was told by dte rep that payments had to be made consistently for a 12 month period. Today is July 13. Just called dte and they said I was days late on my May bill so I have 11 more months to go. I asked for my contract with my endorsement of said policy. I also asked what interest I was being paid as it's been over a year now. After consulting with her supervisor, the rep said, "about 3%". I said, 3.9%?, she said "I'm not sure...nobody has asked that before.

A supervisor is supposed to call me back within 24 hours. I wonder what the standard line is.

Now I'm at the library researching Michigan Complied Law regarding security deposits...

If I hit the jackpot, I'll re-post.

F DTE.

:)

I agree and I currently going through the same thing with DTE. My husband lost his job a few months back and with me handling all of the bills I totally forgot to pay the bill which was only $162. I had to pay $450 to get my Service restored and my bill is still due for October next month. None of the $450 went towards my upcoming bill. I filed a complaint...no luck yet. I also reported them to the Fox2 Hall of shame. It's horrible that they treat customers this way. They haven't heard the end of this fro me.

Correction....October's bill is due next week!

Channie wrote:

I agree and I currently going through the same thing with DTE. My husband lost his job a few months back and with me handling all of the bills I totally forgot to pay the bill which was only $162. I had to pay $450 to get my Service restored and my bill is still due for October next month. None of the $450 went towards my upcoming bill. I filed a complaint...no luck yet. I also reported them to the Fox2 Hall of shame. It's horrible that they treat customers this way. They haven't heard the end of this fro me.

I was hit with this deposit for no reason when signing up for new service with DTE. Now I'm getting delinquent payment notices because the the deposit money was taken from an inactive account attached to my account for some reason. I can see it plainly on my online account, why can't DTE?

Dan wrote:

I was hit with this deposit for no reason when signing up for new service with DTE. Now I'm getting delinquent payment notices because the the deposit money was taken from an inactive account attached to my account for some reason. I can see it plainly on my online account, why can't DTE?

Contact the Michigan Public Service Commission MPSC.COM

DTE is the worst. I had one bill cycle, not even 10 days late, then got a shut off notice. I then paid it, only to recieve another notice for shut off with a later date. All over $120. So do they just send a just kidding shut off notice to scare the shit out some poor single mom who skips a few meals to keep heat on for her kids? Not a problem for me, but for some yes! I have a credit score of over 700, pay my bills no later then 2 or 3 days late, and just got charged a $190 deposit. Based on a collections account (prior roommate) with them from 2003..yep thats right, 12 years ago!!!!! I live in Novi and would love another option.. is there one?