Help: ZAMECO (just like Meralco) imposing penalty of P50k a scam?

**B16CRX** · November 19th, 2006 05:33 PM

Im sending this issue just for discussion and seeking help if this is a SCAM?

This is in behalf of my friend Mr. Danny working as a Skilled Carpenter here in abroad. His family is staying at Purok 3, San Agustin, Iba Zambales.

Last Wednesday, Nov 15, 2006, his wife called and told him that ZAMECO (Zambales Electric Cooperative) disconnected their electric power and confiscated their electric meter. The ZAMECO employee claimed that their power meter was illegally tampered because one of the seals have been broken. Upfront, this employee is asking them to pay P50,000 as penalty and for unpaid consumption arising from the alleged tampered electric meter. The employee told his wife that they were cheating because they have an electric motor pump and yet their just paying P1000 a month. Household residents were just his wife and his daugther. They are still asked to pay the P50K penalty without any invoice or letter of claim from that office.

This electric meter was approximaitely 15 meters away from their house and located at the electric post along the mainroad. This was relocated by ZAMECO employees back in year 2000. And I think, this should be the responsibility of the electric company because it was not installed anymore within their premises.

Until know, power has not been restored because of nonpayment.

Im not whether this is a valid claim or a scam. I already asked Danny if his wife asked somebody to tamper their power meter and he told me that his wife never asked somebody to do something on their meter.

Life is not easy this days and its not worth to shell out hard earned P50k for my friend. I hope we can help my friend to assess this issue and forward this to authorities or media.

Thanks in advance for your helpful suggestions.

**niky** · November 19th, 2006 07:27 PM

Scam... they should go to the customer service section and ask why their meter was disconnected without prior warning. There should have been a written notice of the disconnection.

**OTEP** · November 19th, 2006 09:49 PM

Meron na naman nito? Yup, proceed to the office muna. Baka yung sumisingil ng Php50k din ang sumira dun sa electric meter.

**mazdamazda** · November 19th, 2006 09:53 PM

Punta kayo sa head office instead of just coordinating with just one employee. Minsan may mga ogag na empleyado talaga.

**oldblue** · November 20th, 2006 01:37 AM

isnt that the logical thing to do naman ... verify sa main office.

**B16CRX** · November 20th, 2006 12:43 PM

It appears that some of the employees are also involved as his wife went to their main office. They want to have it in cash or if not, cash on top of the monthly billing. I advised him to tell his wife if payment will be made, get a managers check from the bank payable to the office (since they dont have a checking account). His wife tried that she will just be paying via check in the name of the Elec Company but the employee refused saying that they do not accept checks... (weird hu???)

Well, its kinda funny ha?

Guys, if you have email adds of "Isumbong mo kay Tulfo" or Imbestigador its better to forward this issue.

**just4u** · November 21st, 2006 11:31 PM

naku sana ma-resolve na ang issue... ang hirap ng walang kuryente... perwisyong malaki... tanong lang po - hanggang ngayon ba wala pa ring ilaw?

**B16CRX** · November 22nd, 2006 07:23 AM

Originally Posted by just4u

naku sana ma-resolve na ang issue... ang hirap ng walang kuryente... perwisyong malaki... tanong lang po - hanggang ngayon ba wala pa ring ilaw?

Sir, operada kc ung wife ni Mr. Danny kaya nga nagpalagay sila ng elec water pump kc ang hirap daw sa manumanu na pump. Kaya they paid 20k first to the office in cash to restore power. May resibo naman daw na binigay, but were not sure if thats a valid receipt. Alam rin natin na pag ganyang kalukuhan, may mga kalukuhan din mga resibo na as if tunay.

Sir Andoy,

Please forward this to your friend to ERC, please tell also your friend that Dannys family paid P20k first to the office to restore power. The electric service line is registered to:

Mrs. Ofelia Asiatico Cubebe
Purok 3, San Agustin, Iba, Zambales

I still need to ask my friend of their account number and will forward to you sir andoy right away. Thanks all of you and to Sir Andoy's friend at ERC.

**Andoy** · November 22nd, 2006 06:42 PM

My friend already called ZAMECO and ZAMECO promised to call back once they've gathered information (she will follow it up tomorrow). She said it would help speed up the process if you can provide the account #. Nonetheless, let's hope that ZAMECO will act on this.

She also said that, in order for ERC to conduct a formal investigation, you must send the complaint through consumer*erc.gov.ph. Clearly, ZAMECO did not follow due process and, if found guilty, may be penalized. Your friend may also demand for damages.

I won't be loggin in tomorrow till Sunday since I will be out of town. She promised to update me on any development through text. Pls. send me your # (I'll send you my # through pm) so I can send you her text messages.