[Bjeanj]

SECO should know that Best Practice dictates that this be opt-in, rather than opt-out. Yes, it may be easy to opt-out, but I shouldn’t have to take that extra step to do so. Same goes for opting in for emails from retailers if you order something online. That’s my main gripe.

[Tvflguy]

Originally Posted by blueash

Here is what they will be using your round up money for:

The SECO Energy Foundation’s goal is to generate more funds for projects that align with SECO members’ needs and the company’s strategic initiatives. This alignment will include increased bill payment assistance for your fellow members, as well as projects focusing on energy-efficiency, education/STEM, environmental, veterans’ initiatives and public safety.


You can opt out by emailing them using
customerservice@secoenergy.com
By phone 352 793 3801

I would prefer that they would identify the Specific organizations that will get our money. Rather than a generalization …. “Projects”. Could be forwarded to places I would not want to fund… any idea what these may be???

[Rwirish]

SECO has bee been notifying customers of this for months. Notice has been on bills, the newsletter etc.

People need to learn to read.

[bowlingal]

$ 11.88 per year isn't the issue. It's the way it was done. Like adding an extra charge to your restaurant bill if you use a credit card without informing you that it is being done

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by bowlingal

$ 11.88 per year isn't the issue. It's the way it was done. Like adding an extra charge to your restaurant bill if you use a credit card without informing you that it is being done

You were informed. You may have chosen to not read the newsletter or you may have forgotten but you were informed. (Posts 4, 16, 24, 36 and now 38)

[Bridget Staunton]

I called & opted out they were very nice about it, now if it went to St Jude I would not have a problem. Like St Jude and the kids

[Wilharm]

It took me about 2 minutes to unenroll.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

But, where does the customer fit in? Are you saying that the money taken from the customers is just a non-deductible gift to the SECO corporation and the corporation gets the full benefit for the tax deductible donation when they give it to the foundation? Just asking.

RG, notice that the link says, starting January 2023, the money goes directly to the foundation. That makes the donation deductible to the customer, and since its opt in / opt out, its voluntary, the foundation is a legit type.

Prior to this year, SECO collected the money from the customer and made the donation in their name, and technically SECO got the tax deduction. .

Its just a minor accounting technicality, not really worth worrying about since the individual amount in the tax calculation is anywhere from $1 to $2 difference in the tax owed, if it even makes a difference. ..

now for the human behavior point of view, its a way for corporate executives to "do good" in appearance.. . to feel good to help out people.

NOTE: in New England, the utility state "regulators" expect the utilities to make donations, and when i created a spending vendor master for all expense vendors, i see the utility making donations to "MA Chiefs of Police", "Red Cross", etc. .

Remember that electrical utilities are legitimate monopolies, and thus, are regulated to prevent pricing abuse, and part of the "expectations" from the regulators is that they give back to the communities. The state government is in the business of collecting money and distributing it back for public good. The gov regulators make that same expectation of utilities as well, looking at them as extensions of the government.


That's from inside a utility from some "financial
analysis" i used to see on a regular basis. . .

[Chamo]

I don’t know how they can just automatically round up your bill without your permission. Then they say they’re going to contribute it to which ever organization they want. And at the end of the year they get the deduction for their tax write off. This is not right I understand it’s only pennies but they should have asked your permission. I wonder if they will ever round down your bill because they feel sorry for you.

[Singerlady]

Yes, they evidently notified us on our bill and /or via email. Don’t like the ‘this is automatic and you have to opt out’ kind of giving to charity plan. I can afford it, but choose to donate to my charities and not theirs. A little bit scammy in my opinion. I called and opted out and told the gal my feelings…not that it mattered to her. She was kind of snippy. All the more reason to opt out.

[Cybersprings]

Originally Posted by Rwirish

SECO has bee been notifying customers of this for months. Notice has been on bills, the newsletter etc.

People need to learn to read.

I am quite capable of reading, thank you.
Do I have to spend the time reading every bit of correspondence that I receive to ensure that a third party does not decide on their own to take money out of my pocket and give it to something else? What if they chose to round up to the next $10, or $20? I will choose to donate to those charities I want. The responsibility should not fall on me to identify when an organization is going to steal from me to give to someone else.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Originally Posted by Cybersprings

I am quite capable of reading, thank you.
Do I have to spend the time reading every bit of correspondence that I receive to ensure that a third party does not decide on their own to take money out of my pocket and give it to something else?

yes, you do in todays highly complex, legal world, so time to keep up with that capability.

Its no different than paying attention to SCAM emails, etc. etc, and its !@#$%^&*() exhausting as well. .

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Chamo

I don’t know how they can just automatically round up your bill without your permission. Then they say they’re going to contribute it to which ever organization they want. And at the end of the year they get the deduction for their tax write off. This is not right I understand it’s only pennies but they should have asked your permission. I wonder if they will ever round down your bill because they feel sorry for you.

1: They notified you that they were doing it, and you did not opt out. So... In essence, you gave them permission... (and yes, it should have been an "opt-in" program, but that point is moot right now...)

2: YOU get the tax deduction. At most, it will be $11.88 (for the year), which I'm sure will make a HUGE change in your tax status...

3: Even if they DID get the deduction, it would only be for monies collected thru the program, so it wouldn't effect their tax status one bit...

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Chamo

I don’t know how they can just automatically round up your bill without your permission. Then they say they’re going to contribute it to which ever organization they want. And at the end of the year they get the deduction for their tax write off. This is not right I understand it’s only pennies but they should have asked your permission. I wonder if they will ever round down your bill because they feel sorry for you.

Originally Posted by Bill14564

You were informed. You may have chosen to not read the newsletter or you may have forgotten but you were informed. (Posts 4, 16, 24, 36 and now 38)

You gave your permission by not opting-out
That is how foundations work.
You get the deduction (don't spend the $1.50 all in one place)
They did ask your permission
I believe assistance for low-income customers was one of the purposes of the foundation.

[Bilyclub]

Here it is in Seco's words.