Amigo Energy

I'm having a similar experience to other writers. I was arbitrarily switched to Amigo from NPC. Never received a statement from Amigo until I received a collectiom letter. When I complained and got a statement I found that the NPC rate had been doubled from 12 cents to 24 cents. I'm fighting Amigo via e-mail but their response is arrogant and, in one way, stupid. For example, they're hanging their hat on having sent an Electricity Facts Label to show what they were charging. Trouble is the date they claim they sent it on was 17 days after the billing cycle had started. In my opinion Amigo embarked upon a scam in expoitinga legal loophole when they saw NPC failing. Even if only 1/2 of switched consumers pay Amigo's bills, Amigo is way ahead. My thanks to all of you who voted -in a single party legislature which is owned by the energy lobby. I believe you're called Republicans.

I don't know about you, but I've been getting calls from Amigo's supposed collections agency called Amvensys. There were about 4 or 5 other REP's like NPC that tanked about the same time in May. One of them was Riverway Power and their customers have been having the same issues us NPC customers have. Amvensys is a partner of Riveryway Power. I am currently in the process of disputing Amigo Energy's bill which is double what the max we ever paid to NPC. I'm also contacting the Attorney General's Office of Consumer Protection and filing a complaint against Amvensys for harassing me with phone calls while I am at work and not providing anything in writing saying who they are, who they are collecting for and the amount they are trying to collect. I've found out a lot of interesting things about this company, Amvensys. If you are getting phone calls from them, email me and let me know felinecat123@yahoo.com. Also, here's the Attorney General's website. Click on the heading for Consumer Protection and file your complaints. The more they receive the better off we'll all be when these companies are gone: http://www.oag.state.tx.us/

AMIGO sucks! The same thing happened to me as most posters on this board.

I cannot even get a customer service rep on the phone to discuss this with me, but they sure have no problem making repeated phone calls with threats to send me to collections. I almost wish they would so I could sue their [censored] under the FCRA (I didn't sign an agreement to use their services and never received a single shred of correspondence from them until I moved from my previous address - the one they were supposedly now servicing at twice the previous KWh rate!).

It simply isn't in my blood to let these crooks steal from me and that is what they are trying to do. I have offered to, if they would send me an adjusted bill at the rate I had signed up for with my previous provider (NPC), immediately pay the bill. They agreed to do it but so far (a week later), I have yet to receive the adjusted bill (or, actually, ANY bill ever!) and continue to receive harassing phone calls attempting to collect the higher amount.

If anyone is interested in or knows of a class-action suit against this truly pathetic company, I will be more than happy to participate.

The exact same thing happened to me. I called Amigo in early June and was told the rate was 17.5 cents kwh. When I received the bill, the rate was closer to 24 cents a kwh. Customer service at Amigo was a joke (the guy could hardly speak English), so I filed a complaint with the PUC. The PUC said they could charge what ever they wanted. Now the PUC has a whole host of charges against Amigo, and there's a possibility that my bill will be readjusted. No doubt, Amigo is a fraudulent, scamming, evil company. It's absolute abhorrent that such a company is allowed to stay in business. Hope they go under soon. Stay away from them at all costs!

Amigo is doing this to all of us and I believe t is illegal.
I never received a welcome letter, I searched for and found my account on 06/04/2008 where I was told by the AMIGO clerk that the electric rate for the cycle was 16.5. I told them I was NOT interested in using them and I would have the account moved immediately. I hired Direct Energy at 12.9 and asked they move the account ASAP and they also told me I had to wait till the next billing cycle. I never received any bill from Amigo so on 07/31/2008 I called Amigo to see where the bill was and I was told that I had 2 past due bills for over $400.00 and that was after almost $200.00 from my deposit was applied to my bill.
I said NO as I was told the rate was 16.5 on 06/04/2008 AFTER the cycle had started and their website says the adjustable rate is month to month and not DAY TO DAY.
They changed the rate from 16.5 to 24.19 on 06/16/2008, after they had been notified by Ercot that I was not using their services. Since they at Amigo are not interested in fair play and are not responding with answers that relate to the questions, I have filed a formal complaint with the PUC, the Houston BBB, and with the Texas Attorney general.
Lets band together as united we stand, devided we fall...some lawyer is salivating as this is a classic class actionable lawsuit.

It is illegal to raise your rate without warning or notification.
Amigo never sent me any bills. as soon as I swithced to Relaint, I got my first bill for $1500 for two months.

Same thing has happend not just for one for all custoemrs, i have got bill for $630, just they have shown a previous balance of 169 not sure from where did they get this number, and for 33 days they have chanrged me 461 and a final bill of 630 they have sent.
I switched over to another provider in june but the switch over took me around one billing cycle. I am all here to support the fraud from amigo on helpless consumers.

Like many NPC customers, I was also autoswitched by NPC to AMIGO Energy company Now, I have the exact same overbilling, and also over meter reading problem with AMIGO ENERGY.

Last May 30th NPC silently dropped my NPC account and handed over to Amigo Energy without any prior notice. About a week later they sent letter citing this handover. I called N.P.C. immediately, no one is there. Then I called AMIGO ENERGY, no one answers the phone or the line is always busy at different day times. That was big red flag so then I called TXU to switch without further delay.

Apparently the switch in Texas took 2 months and 2 months later AMIGO Energy sent me a bill of $739 which is completely outrageous considering my bill for two months last year for the exact time and exact same or less usage was never more than $300.00 with NPC.
That is a $439 overcharge by AMIGO Energy company, the company I never switched to in the first place.

Moreover, their bill shows a initial bill for 3 days of first billing cycle as $105, just for first 3 (THREE DAYS), obviously someone at AMIGO is making up false meter reading in addition to overcharge with extremely higher rate.
This is a clear case of extortion, fraud, unfair business practice, breach of contract, violation of fair trade consumer rights...
Several email to AMIGO Customer Service email (LISTED IN THE BILL) went unanswered.

After several days of trial, a CS rep on the phone spent hour researching and came back to say she issued a credit adjustment of $60.00 from a $739 bill for two months they were able to extort customers they took over from N.P.C.
This is Amigo's Fix: Issue credit for about $60.00 and still overcharge $400.00 more for 2 months period of takeover account.

Do they have a class action lawsuit that we can join?

I was scammed by them about the same way. No need to repeat the story. Action is needed.

Please let me know if you know one.

Thanks!

Amigo did the same thing to me overbilled will not return phone calls. I have filed with the PUC, Ralph Hall, city of Heath and State of texas. Very bad situation!

I believe there is something shady going on at Amigo Energy. My husband researched on what company to go with as our contract was up for renewal with First Choice and they were raising there rate to 16.7. He found Amigo Energy for 14.3 fixed rate but we had to agree to a 24-month contract. He did everything online and also called and spoke to them to verify. They said we would receive a welcome packet in the mail (which we never got) and that our service with them would begin in a month. We received a letter on October 8 (which I guess was supposed to be the welcome letter) but all it had was our service address and when it started. Two days later we get a bill with a rate of 16.7 which is not what we agreed too. My husband immediately called them and they told us that is what was agreed on and my husband said why would I agree to that when I already had that with First Choice and was completely happy with them but decided to shop around for a lower rate. The lady told him he had two choices - he could keep the 16.7 rate or he could pay the $99 cancellation fee. He asked to speak to a supervisor which we are still waiting to get a return call from. I looked Amigo Energy up on the BBB and they have had 101 complaints against them. I am going to file a complaint with the BBB, PUC and have already sent this letter to Channel 2 investigates.

I have been a customer since 2008 and NEVER had a problem until THIS year. They changed my due date WITHOUT me knowing, from the 15th to the 1st of the month. I asked what was the cause "random customers were selected" I asked if they could "randomly select" my due date back? They said no, because the system done the change. I did not beleive that lame excuse. I spoke with other electric providers and they said they had never heard of such a thing. If the month has 31 days then my bill is due on the 31st. Yes, that mean I am paying them twice in one month. This summer my bill was close to $100.00 and I live in a one bedroom apartment. I have made payment arrangements for two months and they still sent out a disconnect notice and charged me $20.00 both times. They did credit the $20.00 back, but that should have never happened.T I asked for an extension last moth and they said "they no longer do extensions". After speaking with the supervisor, my extension was granted. There late fees are never the same. They range from $5.00-9.00. There plans are only for 1 or more years, not 4-8 months like most electric companies. You can not make your payment after 7pm (the close of there business day). Not even with the automative system. If your bill is due on a Friday and you make the payment through the automative sysyem it will not post to your account until Monday.Therefore your bill is late. It will only be consider on time if you make the payment with a live rep. on any given day. All payments made through the system takes a day or two to post. I am switching next month to another company. I waited til now to do so because I was paying for an early termination fee. PLEASE DO NOT SIGN UP WITH THESE PEOPLE YOU WILL BE VERY VERY DISAPPOINTED! They are A JOKE/RIP OFF

Yup, they screwed me too. Was with Green Mountain and switched over to Amigo to save a few bucks. BIG mistake. I don't even care about the environment, but am switching back to GM because of great online features and bill payment options.

I am inquiring about a class action lawsuit and what we will need to begin the process. Please contact me at the email address above if you want to be a part of this process. Please let anyone else you know about the possiblity of a Class Action Lawsuit being made against Amigo Energy (Vega Resources, LLC).

Many thanks,

James

FELLAS.

HERE ARE SOME IMPORTANT FACTS:

1) Although Amigo Energy tries to fraudulently make everyone think the "switch" from National Power Company (NPC) was legal...IT IS NOT.

2) Amigo Energy was not entitled to transfer of NPC accounts, since they are not a "Provider of Last Resort".

3) Amigo took the accounts, boosted the rates, and the "hoped" unknowing customers would pay them.

Here is an example. If American Airlines goes bankrupt, and some bogus person steps in and starts sending false bills to past American Airline customers claiming they owe late baggage fees from prior trips (twice the price, like Amigo did) without any legal authority to assume the account...do you think anyone will pay? Hell no.

IF AMIGO TRIES BILLING YOU, OR IF THEY CLAIM THEY ARE TURNING ANYTHING IN TO A COLLECTION AGENCY:

1) Contact the Texas Public Utlities Commission and file an online complaint. The PUC does not want to take these complaints since they are part of the f-up problem, but make them.
2) File an online complaint with the Office of the Texas Attorney General (easy to do) listing Amigo Energy contact info and a brief but concise narrative explaining you never had a contract with Amigo and they are not legally a Provider of Last Resort (the company appointed to assume your service when NPC went out of business).
3) Dispute any negative credit report and make Amigo provide their legal standing for being a creditor (there is none).

Godspeed.

I received the PUC's finding today in the mail.

It states that Amigo Energy has acknowledged numerous violations of the PUC Substantive Rules and that they will be working with customers to correct the problems. It also states that these problems should be addressed by Amigo within 21 days. If they do not to contact the PUC by Oct. 7, 2008.

This is a list of PUC Substantive Rules violations that have been acknowledged.

* No bill received - PUC Substantive Rule 25.479 (b)(1)
* No payment arrangement for bill not received - PUC Substantive Rule 25.480 (e)
* July 2008 billing not in compliance with the NPC Terms of Service - PUC Substantive Rule 25.479 (c)(1)(H)
* No notification of variable rate change - PUC Substantive Rule 25.479 (c)(1)(O)
* Electricity Facts Label (EFL) not in compliance with PUC Substantive Rule 25.475 (f)(1)(C)
* Inability to respond to customer phone calls. PUC Substantive Rules 25.485 (b)(1-2)
* Insufficient documentation to respond to complaints. PUC substantive Rule 25.485 (e)(1)(D)

I'm in the same boat. I filed complaints (below) with the PUC, BBB, & the Attorney General.

I was switched from NPC to Amigo Energy as NPC was going out of business. By the time I found out, I had already been with Amigo for a couple weeks. I reviewed my options & decided to switch to Reliant Energy. Because I did online, they had to wait until month end to switch me (wish I had known). Amigo started me at $.165 (bad enough) & increased me to $.24 after the 1st month. Then I received my 1st bill a month late (after emailing them that I had not received it) with a note that former NPC cust. may not have received their 1st bill. They extended due date. I paid the bill before due date, then emailed them that I had not received my 2nd bill. Today (8 days after alleged bill due date), I receive call from a collection agency wanting to collect for Amigo. I never received anything from them other than the 1st bill (which was a month late). My complaint is two-fold; their rates are ridiculous & were imposed on me against my will, & they sent me to a collection agency without cause.

I posted a complaint a few days ago on this site and continue to try and talk with someone at Amigo. Guess what...they will not return my email request (2 times) nor my written request (2 times). I refuse to pay their rates and have only sent in the amount that I would have paid with NPC. My story is identical to many of you above. What I have done is filed a complaint with the BBB, PUC, Office of the Attorney General and KHOU 11 Houston. I would recommend the same to all. If we can get the local media involved I think it will put the pressure on Amigo and resolution by the PUC or Office of the Attorney General.

I too was screwed by Amigo Energy, I did switch as soon as I found out on June 3, and was told that I was too late to do an emergency switch because three days had already passed. I was told I would be switched on 06/16/08 by an Ercot postcard which did not tell me who I was being switched to. I was then sent a letter by Amigo Energy on or around 06/30/08 that said that I was switched to them on 06/24/08 for a varialbe rate. I had been on a fixed rate plan for 12.9 kwh for two years with NPC which wasn't up yet. I called Amigo Energy on 07/24 08 and asked them when I was switched to which they replied that I was switched on 07/24. I then asked them how much I would owe because I hadn't gotten a bill yet. They replied " We are behind on our billing for the month of June and you will get your bill when we do our billing for that month". On 08/13/08 I finally got my bill, it was excessively high at 24 cents per kwh and I called their office again. It was busy within a three day period. I then wrote out a check for half of the payment, sending a letter informing them I am on Social Security and the bill was too much for me to pay with high medical bills and bills from the other electric company. They cashed the check on 08/21/08. On 08/25/08 much to my surprise, I got a call from a collection agency, informing me that they were from Amigo Energy and I was delinquent in paying my bill and he needed my credit card number to pay it. Of course I told that collector what was what. They were demanding the full amount over the phone after they had cashed my check for half. I found out later that it is illegal to sick a collector on someone before the due date of a bill. I must say that there are some people on here who don't know what they are talking about, and when Amigo dumps because of all the problems Amigo is having, don't come crying to us.

Amigo is in the news:

http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/wfaa/latestnews/stories/wfaa080822_lj_electricity.11fb70f.html

I was scammed by NPC and Amigo Energy, too. Amigo over billed me at a rate more than double that of NPC. I'm contacting the Texas Attorney General, requesting a class action suit against Amigo on the basis of vital public interest. PUC action has done little good to deter Amigo.

Overbilled me and switched me to a variable rate before their letter stated. Variable rate was more than double my contract rate and cost me $200 extra in one month alone I have called 3 times and they will do nothing and even though they claim a manager will call me back - they never do. Bad business - run from them!

Signed up with Amigo Energy in 2006 after hearing an AM radio personality suggesting they were the company with the best rates.

Amigo Energy sent my bill in Spanish for the first two years of my service! For two years, I called them every month (put on hold for 30 min. or more at a time, which means the office has very few CSA), to no avail. I DO NOT SPEAK SPANISH, NOR CAN I READ SPANISH, NOR DOES MY NAME EVEN REMOTELY SOUND HISPANIC!
Finally, I just signed up for their pronto pay to automatically charge my credit card monthly.

Then they rate hiked me like they did everyone else in summer of 2008. My bill went from $404 dollars in Aug. of 2007 to a whopping $883 for Aug. of 2008. Freaking out...I promptly called and was advised my only rescourse was to switch to a contract rate that was lower.
This same month, my credit card on file became maxed out and the payment was returned. I promptly called, asked Amigo to remove that card and that I would send them a montly check.
Because of the return charge, they had blocked me out of the online account, so I had no way to manually change that myself
For 4 months, Amigo Energy continued to auto-debit using that credit card, each time charging me with a $25 return fee.
Each time, you call these people, it takes a min. of 30 min to get through to a human, and I can't even imagine the time and cell phone usage I used trying to get through to these idiots!

In early spring of this year, when learning contract rates were hovering around .11 per kw, I called Amigo to inquire about changing rates. I was told a $200 cancellation fee would apply to cancel my existing contract and enter into another contract. Ok, I was offering to stay with the same company, I just wanted to change rate plans and I know damn well they could have waived that fee to keep me as a customer...afterall, I had been with them since 2006 and never had a late payment other than the one returned .
I threatened to cancel service and go with another company and was told I could not do that and they would put a block on my name/address with the PUC to ensure I could not change providers while still owing them a balance.
They wouldn't budge, I was told there was no "supervisor" to speak to and I could email "Oscar" if I had a complaint.

There was no Oscar or either he just doesn't care to respond to customer complaints. I promptly called another provider, arranged for a priority connection with them within 48 hours. This was the last straw...I could take no more!

Fast forward to today...received at least 5 calls per day from their Dallas office from people who barely speak English trying to collect on my final balance. I'm refusing to pay due to their stupidity all these years. They threatened to report me to the credit agency and just today I received a demand letter from their attorney.
I will be responding with a letter from my attorney...so we will see where this goes.

Moral of the story...NEVER do business with these people!

This company is HORRIBLE! At first they are very nice and offer you a great rate. To keep you they offer you a lower rate if you get into a contract. As months go, their low rate goes up, up, and crazy up no matter that you are in a contract. They are a horrible company to take advantage of customers like this. I live in Plano TX and our bill got so out of control that it was cheaper to pay the cancellation fee due to our contract being one month away from being up instead of having one more month with them!

Amigo energy has been the worst experience I have ever had with an electric company in 20 years, I did not chose them as a provider, I was switched when NPC went out of business, my electric bill is higher then I have ever had after moving from a larger home to a smaller I am paying more since being with them. They now tell me I will have to pay $240 to leave before my contract is over in 2011, which I told them I did not agree to any contract. I just wish this electric nightmare would end.

Amigo charged me $98 for a "reconnect at the pole fee", which they said they were just passing along their cost from Oncor (the area's electrical service provider). Only one problem: this was an impossible charge (I will spare you the details). Oncor agrees that that this charge was bogus and did not come from them. They advised me to take it up with Amigo. Well I have spent the last month trying to fix it with endless hold times, several reps not calling me back, and listening to more than one lie. I refuse to let them screw me out of this $98 and will continue my fight with the PUC. I do not usually complain about companies, but if you are reading this PLEASE take my advice: DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH AMIGO ENERGY! They are over-billing their customers with various fees and other charges, then wearing them down with extended hold times until they give up.

This is my fist time dealing with your company, I do not have your services but my parents do. I tried to contact your company via land line and it has been impossible. I do not know how in the world you can serve your costumers when you can not even talk with some one on the phone. Maybe this complain might not mean much for a big company as yours, but in the long run people will realise that dealing with your company is impossilbe, when a company can not serve their costomers, costumers just go somewhere else. I do not have your services and by this experience I will never will. Thank you

Copy of Helpful info (as posted in adjacent threads):
Agree with all others- Ripoff: and copy from prior
"If anyone is filing a complain to Attorney General (www.oag.state.tx.us) they would asked you Amigo Adddress (which is different from the billed statement) and here it is:

777 Poast Oak blvd Ste. 700
Houston, TX 77056
[protected](long wait)"

After insisting on corrected billings, the above address is correct as a rep. called back indicating my letter receipt.
(Don't use a xx Fountainview posted Addr. - Returned)

They sure don't give us any access to Acct./Billings:
No reply to only found email - info@amigoenergy.com
I don't rely on any Amigo phone reps. - no authority/
no followup for verbal adjustments they may give.
If you like to try here are local # 713.881.8590 and
Alex/Alexia voicemail messg. "..." - 8548

Agree with all others- Ripoff: and copy from prior
"If anyone is filing a complain to Attorney General (www.oag.state.tx.us) they would asked you Amigo Adddress (which is different from the billed statement) and here it is:

777 Poast Oak blvd Ste. 700
Houston, TX 77056
[protected](long wait)"

After insisting on corrected billings, the above address is correct as a rep. called back indicating my letter receipt.
(Don't use a xx Fountainview posted Addr. - Returned)

They sure don't give us any access to Acct./Billings:
No reply to only found email - info@amigoenergy.com
I don't rely on any Amigo phone reps. - no authority/
no followup for verbal adjustments they may give.
If you like to try here are local # 713.881.8590 and
Alex/Alexia voicemail messg. "..." - 8548

They overcharge me for the weekened. $315 each for sat and sunday, the weekdays *m-F* I was charge only $125. I had no power even when I called them, through my cell and paid them. Theyre jerkoffs.