TXU Energy won’t help identity theft victim
I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again. Businesses and lenders enable financial and services identity theft with their sloppy lending standards, applicant verification identity failures and outright incompetence.
In this story of identity theft from Kileen Texas, a TXU customer, Trissina Neal is a victim of identity theft because TXU has charged her for utilities that TXU gave to an identity thief without validating Trissina Neal’s identity.
Trissina received a police report.
TXU replied that she “probably moved”.
Trissina showed TXU customer service a copy of her lease that clearly demonstrated she hadn’t lived at the address TXU alleges she lived at and enjoyed TXU’s utilities.
TXU replied that she “probably moved”.
Before TXU dare allege Trissina “stole” any utilities, TXU should be forced to prove Trissina applied for utilities at that address, or admit their mistake and apologize.
Outrageous.
**UPDATE***
I recently received a comment from a TXU representative named Richard and I’m pleased to report that TXU customer support has resolved the case in Ms. Neal’s favor.
“Monday, November 24, 2008 — TXU Energy made a mistake and we have apologized to Ms. Neal. We resolved the issue and power to her home has been restored.
We have policies in place to protect against identity theft. When it does occur, we conduct a thorough investigation to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. However, it takes time to complete. Unfortunately, in this instance, our process did not meet the high standard of service we aspire to have for our customers.
TXU Energy does offer customers an additional layer of security against identity theft. They can sign up with any customer representative for the “Password Protection Program.” Instead of relying on a social security number, customers can request a specific and unique password identification purposes. This is available to any customer.
Again, we apologize for the frustration this issue has caused Ms. Neal. We will continue to look for ways to improve.”
Tags: identity theft, trissina neal
December 23rd, 2009 at 6:20 pm
TXU Energy allowed an identity thief to open an account in my name, rack up over $1300 in charges, and put it on MY credit report as a charge-off. I have spent a crazy amount of enormously stressful time trying to get it corrected. The account was in Dallas and I live 500 miles away in Katy, TX! I sent kids school records, car maintenance receipts, bills, etc. proving that I have been living in Katy the entire time. TXU’s collection agency said “If you can prove to us it wasn’t you…I can’t tell you what to send.” I sent it all and they did nothing. They have ruined my credit. Can’t they be fined for this?
January 28th, 2010 at 5:17 pm
I understand what you are going through. TXU allowed an account to be opened in my name as well. Back in 2006 my name & ss# were used to open a utility account in Brownwood Tx. Heres the kicker… I live in Wisconsin and have been here my whole life! I have never stepped foot on Tx soil or even driven through that state in my 40 years of life! Over a year and a half ago numerous negative reports were listed on all 3 major credit reports in my name - preventing me from getting an auto loan. I have contacted this company multiple times with the same results you speak of. I faxed & mailed 5 years worth of documentation to prove i was living in Wisconsin, before, durring & after the time this account was in use, along with proof of my identity - TO NO AVAIL! I’ve been given the run around, given excuses, and even told at one point that “this has become a legal matter and it could no longer be discussed with me!” I have been told on numerous occasions that the company would put in a correction to the credit bureaus, that the correction was already completed, and on 1/28/10, was told that a dispute was already started awhile back, but was “incomplete.” Companies in Tx apparently do not require verification of identity from it’s potential customers to open utility accounts… This was not the only company listed on my CB reports… Verizon Phone Co. had allowed this same person to open 2 accounts in my name, in Tx as well! All accounts were systematically run up, left unpaid, & then reported as “charged off” by the company! My credit has been a mess since 2006 because of this - causing me to endure years of embarrassment, stress, & frustration! I cant even begin to estimate how much time & money i’ve spent on research, disputes with the CB’s, TXU & Verizon as well as long distance phone calls to Tx over the years! I FEEL YOUR PAIN! I’m contacting a news station here in Wisconsin & currently looking into hiring a lawyer. I wish you the best of luck.
January 28th, 2010 at 5:25 pm
TXU has the most lousy customer service standards and policies in the USA!!!