topic Re: HIKO Energy LLC in Electronics

HIKO Energy LLC

anitagayle — Sat, 22 Feb 2014 00:22:57 GMT

Not sure where to post this, so here goes. Has anyone here had experience with HIKO Energy as an alternate supplier of electricity? Mom lives in a senior apartment building that is all electric. She just received a bill for over $900, most of which is from HIKO. She doesn't remember ever authorizing the switch to an alternate supplier. It is quite possible that she did but does not remember, but the increase in the rate is appalling! We have tried to get on their website and our security tells us that it is a dangerous website and not to go further. When we tried to call, their mailbox cannot take any more calls. They have an F rating with the BBB and numerous complaints on the Ripoff Report. We are trying to figure out what to do and have only been frustrated. The bill comes from Penelec (First Energy), and they say we have to talk to HIKO about their charges. Any suggestions? We would be most grateful.

Re: HIKO Energy LLC

Nightowlz — Sat, 22 Feb 2014 00:26:42 GMT

That makes me angry that these companies take advantage of our seniors. I have never heard of them so I have no answers for you. Do you know who she did have service with? You could at least call them & tell them you want their service back & how to get the other one off. Hope you can figure out what to do. I know how it is dealing with problems with parents living in another state.

Re: HIKO Energy LLC

Nuttmeg — Sat, 22 Feb 2014 00:48:21 GMT

I did not have a problem getting into their site. Here is a link I found with this company's terms and conditions. This might be of help. http://www.hikoenergy.com/terms.html .

Re: HIKO Energy LLC

anitagayle — Sat, 22 Feb 2014 02:27:53 GMT

nutmeg3 - I tried the link (thank you) and Webroot jumped in right away and said it is unsafe. I'm too afraid to go further--don't need any computer problems. I appreciate your input.

Nightowlz - Her service is with Penelec, and their sole service will be reinstated by mid-March.The big issue is whether the HIKO charges will have to be paid. We have to wait till Monday to get any more information.

Re: HIKO Energy LLC

2cockers1cat — Sat, 22 Feb 2014 02:45:22 GMT

http://www.hikoenergy.com/PA_Terms_and_Conditions.pdf

This is their PA legalese. If there is a conversation between the call center and your mom, it should have been recorded. Ask to hear it to confirm the switch. In Ohio, sometimes we get letters offering a switch. Some suppliers switch the account, saying failure to respond "NO", gives consent.

Re: HIKO Energy LLC

Annabellethecat66 — Sat, 22 Feb 2014 02:56:54 GMT

That makes me sick. I'd contact my Congressman. I guarantee you there are many others that have been cheated too.

There is power in numbers. Always.

Re: HIKO Energy LLC

Nuttmeg — Sat, 22 Feb 2014 03:03:03 GMT

This company sells energy in a few states where there is deregulation NY, NJ, PA, Ohio, CT, and MD. I received a call from a company asking, if I wanted to save 10% on my electric service, and I said no. Some of these deals come with a lot of fine print.

Re: HIKO Energy LLC

Annabellethecat66 — Sat, 22 Feb 2014 03:06:55 GMT

Instead of these Senators and Congressmen going on these news shows they should be sending their 'people' out to investigate how in their state things like this are allowed to happen to anyone but most especially to Senior Citizens.

Like I said, there is power in numbers. I know that from personal experience.

Re: HIKO Energy LLC

2cockers1cat — Sat, 22 Feb 2014 03:45:08 GMT

I don't remember which company it was, there are so many hectoring us, offering to relieve us from our "rider fee". All I had to do was disclose our account #, and it would disappear with them as our supplier. Our parent utility isn't authorized to add that adjustment to our elec bills.

Re: HIKO Energy LLC

2cockers1cat — Sat, 22 Feb 2014 04:30:14 GMT

Did some quick HIKO googling. In some states, the energy brokers are allowed to make door-to-door sales!! Not in Ohio.

AnitaGayle, is it possible there was a home visit and your Mom was convinced to show a copy of her bill? Maybe to someone claiming to be an official investigating complaints her utility was "overcharging"? Asking her to "sign here" to indicate she'd had "an official" visit?

Re: HIKO Energy LLC

anitagayle — Sat, 22 Feb 2014 07:20:43 GMT

2cockers1cat - There is no possibility that there was a home visit because her building has security doors, and visitors have to be buzzed in. It's more likely that she had a phone call but doesn't remember agreeing to anything. We're trying to find out if there is a recording, but that's pretty difficult to do if we can't reach them. Now we have to wait until Mon. to try again.

Thanks for your input, ladies.

Re: HIKO Energy LLC

dooBdoo — Sat, 22 Feb 2014 07:43:44 GMT

This is the first I've heard of the company. I did a search of "Hiko Energy 800notes" and discovered plenty of reports of this business making telemarketing calls from a variety of numbers. It looks like a real scam, possibly targeting older individuals.

This one is a good example:

http://www.callercenter.com/888-264-4908.html

anitagayle, I'm sorry this has happened and hope you can find a good resolution.

Re: HIKO Energy LLC

anitagayle — Sat, 22 Feb 2014 14:51:50 GMT

DooBdoo - Thank you so much for that link. Every bit of info helps.

Re: HIKO Energy LLC

anitagayle — Sat, 22 Feb 2014 15:06:49 GMT

I just got on their site on my tablet. There was no security warning, so I took a chance. The phone no is the one we called with no luck, so just getting on the site wasn't much help. I suppose I could email but am reluctant to do so.

Re: HIKO Energy LLC

Nuttmeg — Sun, 23 Feb 2014 21:32:04 GMT

I found this article in my local paper about third party providers of electricity. http://www.nj.com/business/index.ssf/2014/02/electricity_suppliers_energy_prices_spike_complaints_nj.html#incart_river

Re: HIKO Energy LLC

anitagayle — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 00:14:01 GMT

nutmeg3 - Thank you so much for the link. I'll read it carefully after I print it out so other family can read it. More ammunition!

Re: HIKO Energy LLC

Kachina624 — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 01:56:31 GMT

Contact the consumer complaint division of your state's attorney general's office ASAP.