Al-Madinah newspaper

Due to my previous article, entitled “A Very Disappointing Bill,” I received many messages from readers, including one from a man who said: “It does not seem to make any difference whether we turn off the lights or not.”

He then provided me with copies of his electricity bills, which actually prove that there is a huge problem in the way these bills are calculated. Let us bear in mind that he was not the only reader that wrote to me complaining about this. I received many other similar messages.

It is strange to see three or four electricity bills showing that “consumption is zero” and then to have them followed by a fifth bill asking for a shockingly high payment. One reader received three bills (numbers 4397, 4316 and 4753) that noted zero consumption. These were then followed by bill number 4331 which asked for SR1,638.95.

Receiving bills like this leaves customers shocked and in two minds as to whether or not to pay. They are left wondering whether they need to pay and how they should pay. It is sad to see people treated in this way.

Honestly speaking, people are going through enough economic hardship as it is. All service companies must understand that people are already faced with difficulties and so they need to be accurate. I wish that the SEC would clarify what “zero consumption” actually means. They need to resolve their issues and make their customers happy.

Receiving a large bill like this means that there is a problem in the way costs are calculated. As consumers, we need a clear explanation about what is actually going on. Have mercy on people before the summer begins and electricity bills increase.