ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Customers of PPL, an electrical energy company that serves the Lehigh Valley, are noticing unusually high bills — even when they didn't use more electricity.
PPL blamed the erroneous bills on an error with its billing system, prompting it to list "estimated usage" of how much people owe.
Some people on social media, such as those on Nextdoor.com, reported higher bills of up to $700.
- PPL said an error with its billing system prompted it to use 'estimated usage' of much people owe, causing some bills to be unusually high
- The company said the issue now is resolved, but it's still asking customers to pay the amount on the bills
- Any overcharge will be deducted from the next bill, the company said
- PPL offers payment plans, and assistance programs for consumers who cannot pay the bills.
According to PPL, the error will be resolved in the next billing cycle.
However, PPL still is asking customers to pay the amount they were billed.
"While data from customer meters was being gathered as usual, a technical system issue made the data temporarily unavailable in the systems that generate bills and display customer usage data," PPL spokeswoman Jane George wrote in an email.
George said the issue has been resolved, and any discrepancies or inaccuracies will be reconciled in the next billing cycle.
She said payment plans and other assistance plans are available from PPL for those who can't pay the full amount.
Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate Patrick M. Cicero has weighed in on the situation.
"We are certainly concerned, especially if consumers are struggling to pay their bills."Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate Patrick M. Cicero
A statement from Ciceo said his office has not had any complaints about the issue, but it is aware of it.
"We are certainly concerned, especially if consumers are struggling to pay their bills," the statement read.
"It is important for consumers who are confused about their bill and concerned that they may have had a bill that was overestimated to reach out to PPL and ask for an explanation."
Cicero said it's important for people who can't pay their electricity bill to contact PPL and take advantage of their assistance options, such as the hardship fund.
The fund, also known as "Operation HELP" has helped 108,000 families since the 1980s, according to PPL.
