Elderly residents thought they were signing up for a discount on heating bills but instead, they got switched to a third-party gas company - and on top of that their bills doubled.Many of us turned up the heat during recent cold weather and watched PG&E bills go up with it. Now several Bay Area residents say they got a phone call offering to save money on gas -- but they wound up getting switched to a third-party gas company instead.
"I can't understand you very well, so let's get on with what are we doing?" said Martinez while listening back to the recorded call. "You're taking advantage of someone who's 94 and has dementia," said Martinez's trustee Ingrid Kerstan of Burlingame.Kerstan was surprised to see a PG&E notice saying Martinez had switched her gas supplier to AAA Gas Services. How did that happen? Kerstan called AAA.
On the recording, an agent reads off contract terms, and then asks Martinez if she understands each one, yes or no. Oakland resident Marke said her mother thought she was getting a discount on her gas bill. Instead, she wound up switching her gas supplier from PG&E to AAA. So AAA began billing Mary -- but instead of saving money, Mary's gas bill actually doubled. Same for Ramona Martinez.