Thanks for visiting UCAN.org! For over 25 years, UCAN has been protecting, educating, and advocating for consumers through a small staff of dedicated consumer advocates. Our services are available because of grassroots donations from people like you. Please help us continue our work with a donation of any amount on our secure donation page.
UCAN.org complete RSS FeedCPUC changes shut-off rules for electric companies
In a move that has shocked the advocacy community, CPUC, the California Public Utilities Comission, has actually taken steps to protect consumers from unfair power shutoffs. Full story.
"Perverse Incentives:" Why SDG&E's Montana wind farm scheme is wrong, wrong, wrong
SDG&E's plan to meet its renewable energy requirements by generating energy in Montana and selling it to Canada is more hot wind from a utility that has established a reputation for relying too much on natural gas. MORE.
Companies Penalizing Consumers for Downgrading Service Plan
When money gets tight, many people look to superfluous services to cut to save a bit of dough every month. A quick and easy way to cut the fat is to reduce your monthly recurring expenses. Now, companies are penalizing consumers who downgrade their service plan. And in this tough economy, who can blame them for trying to save a buck? The consumers, that is.
Worried about the new "Smart Meters?" Participate in UCAN's MeterWatch!
By law, SDG&E must install a smart meter in your home or business in the next 18 months. Our MeterWatch project is designed to track the accuracy of these new meters, monitor customer service from SDG&E and its outsourced installers, and also track general complaints or concerns. Our MeterWatch project is under construction and we expect to have it operational very soon. But, if you send us an e-mail, we will notify you as soon as the site is ready for registration. DETAILS HERE.
FCC to Investigate Bill Shock
The FCC has opened an investigation into bill shock and will consider whether it should require wireless carriers to provide notifications to consumers to ensure that consumers are fully aware of the roaming charges they are incurring so that consumers do not receive higher bills than expected.
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File a Consumer Complaint with UCAN!
Need help resolving a dispute with a company? There are two ways you can get individualized help with your dispute from the Fraud Squad: (1) using our Online Complaint Forms, and (2) calling the Fraud Squad Hotline at (619) 696-6966.
John Mattes is an embedded reporter for the New Media Rights Community Journalism Project investigating UCAN issues.
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John Mattes investigates Best Windows and Doors Inc. day in court to see how the court follows through on consumer complaints.
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Sunrise Powerlink
Visit our page dedicated to the Sunrise Powerlink Transmission Project. You will find news, data, legal hearings and testimony, open-letters from UCAN's executive director, and just about everything else you might want to know regarding this important proposal. Or, listen to Michael Shames explain UCAN's opposition to Sunrise in this UCAN.org podcast.
AT&T International Wireless Roaming Overcharges and Cramming
AT&T's practice of enabling international roaming without customer notification violates the CA Public Utilities Code, which is intended to protect consumers from "cramming" of unauthorized charges. AT&T customers are also being charged for calls that were never placed. UCAN asserts that these customers never sought nor authorized international roaming as a service provided in connection with their cellular phone service.
California Lifeline/Universal Lifeline Telephone Service
California Lifeline, formerly known as Universal Lifeline Telephone Service (ULTS), provides discounted basic residential (landline) telephone service to low-income households.
Sprint Nextel illegally billing taxes, fees, and text message charges on data broadband services plans
UCAN has filed a federal class action complaint against Sprint Nextel (aka Sprint Solutions) for illegally billing customers taxes, fees, and text message charges on data services plans. You can read the complaint here.
SDG&E Rate Increase
December 8th, 2006 was not a good day for San Diego. On that day, San Diego Gas & Electric asked state regulators for permission to raise base rates for electricity and natural gas customers by some $250 million annually for the years 2008 through 2013. You don't need a calculator to realize that adds up to a chilly $1.5 BILLION over those six years. Listen to Michael Shames explain UCAN's position on SDG&E's rate request.
Like what you see? Go ahead and show your support! UCAN is a truly independent non-profit watchdog organization, dependent on grassroots donations like yours!
Utility Consumers' Action Network - (619) 696-6966
Terms and Conditions
UCAN.org is made available by the Utility Consumers' Action Network to assist you in becoming what you always knew you could be: a consumer ROCK STAR! We take no corporate money, and are beholden only to you, the consumer. As such, the site is here for educational, advocacy, and empowerment purposes, as well to to give you general information and a general understanding of the law. Just remember this site is NOT here to provide specific legal advice. By using this web site you of course understand that there is no attorney-client relationship between you and the Web Site publisher, UCAN. The Web Site should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.
That said, get to digging on the site, inform yourself, speak your mind, and earn Watchdog Bones! This is YOUR site, and we mean it. So comment on any of the content, discuss the latest issues in the forums, file a complaint on a company with the Fraud Squad, and generally cut loose.
See our Terms of Use, Privacy, and Copyright complaint policies as well as our Content Reuse Policy, Some Rights Reserved. Remember, if you have any questions about copyright law or need legal information regarding intellectual property, the internet, or new technologies, visit our affiliate New Media Rights at www.newmediarights.org. If you are in the San Diego region, you can also can apply to use New Media Rights' multimedia studio and equipment for free.
