Electricity supplier announces elderly woman's departure: termination of contract in Munich
Powering Chaos: Seniors Caught in Munich's Utility Muddle
City of Munich
Unraveling Utility Woes
Status: Unraveling Utility Woes in Munich's Power Sector
From: Gabriele Winter
Senior Snags and Power Mix-ups
It's a shocker—senior citizens in Munich are experiencing some serious hiccups with their power suppliers, EON, and network operators, Bayernwerk. Several readers have shared their unfair troubles with power meters.
A senior's tale gone sour
November 2024 saw Christa Finthammer's distressing discovery of a cancellation confirmation for her power contract, unexpectedly delivered to her mailbox. "I dialed EON only to hear I had vacated the premises," a surprised Finthammer shared. But she assures, "I hadn't moved or changed suppliers." One EON employee, bound by data protection, was unable to reveal the mystery stranger who presumably moved into her home.
Calamity in billing
The Senior citizen was prompted by EON to sign a new contract, wary of going powerless, she obliged. However, a final bill soon rolled in, heavily charging her. Intrigued and confused, Finthammer enlisted the help of an electrician to check her utilities, finding no issues.
The Latest on MunichSign up for our newsletter to stay informed on the latest happenings in the Isar metropolis.
Bayernwerk's blunder
The real culprit seemed to be the network operator, who informed Finthammer, "A Mr. Kunze is registered under your meter." Apparently, someone else has been charging under her name.
Frustration shared by two
Manfred Wagner and Robert Ettenhuber from Glonn faced a similar conundrum. Wagner, having received a final bill for his apartment over four years ago, immediately sought resolution. Their neighbors' apartment had seen a change, and, despite endless calls and letters, both Wagner and Ettenhuber were met with indifference by EON and Bayernwerk, who seemed to view their appeals as bothersome.
A correction from Bayernwerk
When tz reached out to Bayernwerk and EON, they sprang into action. Bayernwerk acknowledged their error, lamenting the misery caused to both Manfred Wagner and Mr. Ettenhuber. The network operator promised swift rectification.
In Christa Finthammer's case, "an error occurred during customer registration," as per Bayernwerk's explanation. EON also vowed to rectify the issue immediately.
Seniors and Utility Woes
Occasionally in multi-apartment buildings or during new residents' arrivals, errors in meter allocation, billing addresses, or administrative problems within utility companies can arise. Affected customers should:
- Double-check their meter readings and billing statements for accuracy.
- Contact customer service to report the discrepancy.
- Provide proof of their own meter readings if necessary.
- Request a formal investigation and, if required, compensation or correction of the bill.
If the problem expands to affect a significant number of senior citizens or vulnerable groups, local consumer protection agencies can be contacted for assistance. Keep meticulous records of all communications. While current sources don't indicate a widespread or targeted billing issue, it's crucial for customers to be vigilant.
Here's a relevant story that caught our attention:
(If this link doesn't work, you may need to adjust your ad blocker settings.)
- The issue faced by Christa Finthammer, a senior citizen in Munich, highlights the importance of personal-finance management when dealing with utility providers like EON and network operators such as Bayernwerk.
- In both the finance and energy industries, it's essential for senior citizens to regularly check their personal-finance statements and energy usage, especially in the case of multi-apartment buildings or during times of change in residence.
