Utility bill late fees

Have you had to deal with big late fees when it comes to your electricity bill?

According to the Associated Press, Mississippi is one of several states where major utility companies are charging late fees much higher than the national average.

In 2019, Americans paid a combined $561 million in late fees to electrical utilities.

However, Mississippi Power says their goal is to help customers avoid late fees at all costs. Mississippi Power Customer Care Supervisor Sandy Warren said, “The first thing I would say is if a customer has a unique situation or has fallen on hard times, we understand. Contact us as soon as you know. The sooner a customer can contact us, the more options we have to work with the customer and determine what options we have to fit their unique situation.”

Other states where those late fees are higher includes Louisiana, Kentucky, Florida, and Maryland.