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This is especially true of utility companies, who expect you to start paying them money before you ever interact with them or sign any contract, to the point wh

This is especially true of utility companies, who expect you to start paying them money before you ever interact with them or sign any contract, to the point where they will try to destroy your credit score if you don't pay them.

Semaphor 4y ago
What? I’m ready to believe a lot of things about the USA, but that seems a bit far-fetched?
- TechBro8615 4y ago
  It's not far from the truth. I don't think they can technically get away with hitting your credit score before you signed a contract, and instead will send you a "first bill" once you do contact them, which will include the difference between the meter reading when you moved into the property, and whatever reading they had from the last tenant. Often this results in a headache while you try to avoid paying for electricity/gas you didn't consume. But it's not unheard of for utility companies to fuck with your credit score when the only major error you made was not contacting them quickly enough.
- 98codes 4y ago
  If you have a history of non-payment they may require a security deposit, but with the exception of cable/internet most residential utility bills are sent (and paid) post-usage.
  - anonymouskimmer 4y ago
    > If you have a history of non-payment It happens if you have a history of not being a previous customer with them. I had a notice of good payment history from my previous electric company from another state and the company in the new state still required a deposit.
    - davchana 4y ago
      PGE requires either a ACH autopay or deposit. One time I paid bill by Credit Card to get 3% back, (through Bill Pay to avoid PGE 2% fees for card), PGE asked me deposit because autopay did not execute (because there was no balance).
- lotsofpulp 4y ago
  I have never experienced anything like that on either coasts of the US. The utility company has an obvious looking website that you can use to make an account and pay electronically. In the US, any business that requests payment outside of credit card/debit card/ACH/checks is questionable.
- davchana 4y ago
  I have never experienced like that in 4 different movings. I expect to pay since the day I get the keys till days I return keys for home. I setup and account with utility, or gas, or something. They bill me in 10-30 days, I pay again in about 30 days or less.

Semaphor 4y ago

What? I’m ready to believe a lot of things about the USA, but that seems a bit far-fetched?

TechBro8615 4y ago
It's not far from the truth. I don't think they can technically get away with hitting your credit score before you signed a contract, and instead will send you a "first bill" once you do contact them, which will include the difference between the meter reading when you moved into the property, and whatever reading they had from the last tenant. Often this results in a headache while you try to avoid paying for electricity/gas you didn't consume. But it's not unheard of for utility companies to fuck with your credit score when the only major error you made was not contacting them quickly enough.
98codes 4y ago
If you have a history of non-payment they may require a security deposit, but with the exception of cable/internet most residential utility bills are sent (and paid) post-usage.
- anonymouskimmer 4y ago
  > If you have a history of non-payment It happens if you have a history of not being a previous customer with them. I had a notice of good payment history from my previous electric company from another state and the company in the new state still required a deposit.
  - davchana 4y ago
    PGE requires either a ACH autopay or deposit. One time I paid bill by Credit Card to get 3% back, (through Bill Pay to avoid PGE 2% fees for card), PGE asked me deposit because autopay did not execute (because there was no balance).
lotsofpulp 4y ago
I have never experienced anything like that on either coasts of the US. The utility company has an obvious looking website that you can use to make an account and pay electronically. In the US, any business that requests payment outside of credit card/debit card/ACH/checks is questionable.
davchana 4y ago
I have never experienced like that in 4 different movings. I expect to pay since the day I get the keys till days I return keys for home. I setup and account with utility, or gas, or something. They bill me in 10-30 days, I pay again in about 30 days or less.