Complaint Alleges Texas REP Manipulating Pricing to Appear at Top of Power to Choose
May 19,2014
The McAllen, Texas Monitor reports on some 20 complaints to the Public Utility Commission of Texas against retail provider Hino Electric prompted by what Hino terms its "ambiguous" EFL and terms of service, but which a complainant alleges reflect a "bogus and noncompliant calculation" of the price quoted in the EFL.
A complaint to the PUCT published by the Monitor alleges that, "HINO Electric deliberately manipulates the EFL price to rise to the top of the 'Power To Choose' website search as the lowest priced REP for several categories in an attempt to snare unsuspecting consumers, without disclosing Hino Electric has no intention of honoring the contract prices."
The Monitor reports HINO has offered refunds to complaining customers, and has taken the product off the market, but has not offered refunds to all customers who enrolled onto the plan.