STREAM ENERGY INVALID "EARLY TERMINATION FEE" DALLAS Texas

I selected Stream Energy as my electric service provider on 06/28/2006 on a Month-to-Month basis. (No Contract).

When I received my bill for the period of 06/26/2008 to 07/28/2008 my Energy Rate increased from 0.1580/hwh to 0.1990/kwh. That is approximately a 26% increase from one month to the next.

I immediately selected a different service provider as I felt the increase was unreasonable and probably a ploy to entice me to sign up for a long-term contract.

When I received my final bill there was a $250.00 "Early Termination Fee."

There is only one problem; I never had a contract to terminate. I contacted Stream and tried to explain I had always been on a "Month-to-Month" basis
and they were rude and adamant; insisting that I had initiated a long-term contract. I did not.

I asked the customer service rep to send me proof of the existence of a contract which he was unable to do.

I have filed complaints with the BBB and the Public Utility Commission. The Texas Attorney General will be next.

A different customer service rep called today and attempted to convince me that I had entered into a contract, just like the first person that called.

I told him, as I had told the first person, to send me verification of some type and I would go quietly.

I have paid the invalid charges to prevent my electric service from being interruped since my wife has asthma and never knows when she will need to use her breathing machine. I made it clear that the payment was "under duress and protest" so it is clear that I did not accept the fee as valid.

Stream has 30 days to give me verification that I had a contract with them.
If they are unable to do so I will proceed with my legal rights to recover the fee with punitive damages as provided by law.

Eddie
SHERMAN, Texas
U.S.A.