[md5wl]

Effective January 2023 Seco is rounding up our bills and donating the change to a charity they chose.
The only way to stop this is to tell them to unsubscribe you and refund your change.

[MSchad]

Originally Posted by md5wl

Effective January 2023 Seco is rounding up our bills and donating the change to a charity they chose.
The only way to stop this is to tell them to unsubscribe you and refund your change.

Seco has had the Foundation for Pennies program for a long time. I have been having my bill rounded up to the dollar since day one. Small way to help. Strange that they are changing it from a voluntary opt in/out program though. I see I still have the option via their apt to opt out.

[kansasr]

Originally Posted by md5wl

Effective January 2023 Seco is rounding up our bills and donating the change to a charity they chose.
The only way to stop this is to tell them to unsubscribe you and refund your change.

I'm sure there is something in our membership agreement that allows them to do this, but it's a pretty shoddy business practice.

[Bill14564]

It looks like the announcement has been in the newsletter since August (I went back to check). There were instructions on how to opt-out though it wasn't clear, at least to me, that everyone would automatically be put into the program.

I was pretty put off when I saw I had been automatically enrolled and I spent the time to find the opt-out button. I decided to stay in the program - it seemed like it was for a good cause and I can afford the $11.88 per year maximum.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by kansasr

I'm sure there is something in our membership agreement that allows them to do this, but it's a pretty shoddy business practice.

I agree. The opt-in program was fine, but changing it to an opt-out program is shoddy.

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

it seemed like it was for a good cause and I can afford the $11.88 per year maximum.

[photo1902]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I agree. The opt-in program was fine, but changing it to an opt-out program is shoddy.

Very similar to Amazon’s (Ring) Sidewalk feature. It is enabled by default. I’m suppose they figure most people wouldn’t want to participate.

[Bogie Shooter]

Full program explanation….
SECO Energy Foundation – Pennies from Heaven Transition – SECO Energy

[Golfer222]

Can we deduct this as a charitable contribution?

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by Golfer222

Can we deduct this as a charitable contribution?

Yes, all $9 of it.

(that's a rounding error on a normal tax return)

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Golfer222

Can we deduct this as a charitable contribution?

With a little effort your answer is in the link.

[Golfer222]

Compared to Jan 2022, kWh went down but bill increased- they can use that rate increase to donate if they wish if they are so benevolent- doubt they will

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Golfer222

Compared to Jan 2022, kWh went down but bill increased- they can use that rate increase to donate if they wish if they are so benevolent- doubt they will

Why do you doubt?

[JGibson]

It's not about the few dollars but about the principal that they can arbitrarily take your money and give it to their choosing.
Especially without a letter with instructions to opt-out. Not everyone uses a computer to manage their account.

Again, it's not the money it's the principle and arrogance of SECO.

What if all companies started doing this? It sets a bad precedent.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by JGibson

It's not about the few dollars but about the principal that they can arbitrarily take your money and give it to their choosing.
Especially without a letter with instructions to opt-out. Not everyone uses a computer to manage their account.

Again, it's not the money it's the principle and arrogance of SECO.

What if all companies started doing this? It sets a bad precedent.

Originally Posted by Bill14564

It looks like the announcement has been in the newsletter since August (I went back to check). There were instructions on how to opt-out though it wasn't clear, at least to me, that everyone would automatically be put into the program.

It seems they did make the announcement and provide the steps to opt-out - even for those without a computer.