Doing the Utility Company Shuffle

New Jersey is offering assistance to residents who are struggling to pay gas or electric bills this winter. Guess where they are getting the $1.3 million to help seniors, jobless, and ill -- the utility companies themselves. Mind boggling, right? The next question is: did the utility companies just up and decide to donate the $1.3 million? If you believe that, well ... naiveté is cute in children buddy. No, you have to follow the money and in this case it seems some customers left without collecting their deposits. The money was just sitting there tempting, the poor utility companies. Now the utility companies can access that money by donating it to other customers for service. Maybe I am being cynical here -- well yes, I am being cynical, but while the companies may help seniors, the job less, and the disabled through the winter, and mind you I agree that the cause is worthy, it sure looks like the utility companies wanted access to the abandoned deposit money and this was a way to get it. My hat is off to the PR people for coming up with a positive spin on the shuffling of inaccessible money to company coffers.

Tip of the Day:
Before you move up or move out collect or transfer all deposits on the old home to the new one. Utility companies happily transfer service and deposits if you notify them prior to moving day.

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