CUB TO GIVE FREE PHONE, GAS, ELECTRIC BILL ‘CHECKUPS’ IN DARIEN, SHOW HOW TO CUT COSTS BY HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS A YEAR

CUB TO GIVE FREE PHONE, GAS, ELECTRIC BILL ‘CHECKUPS’ IN DARIEN, SHOW HOW TO CUT COSTS BY HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS A YEAR

The Citizens Utility Board (CUB) will explain the latest utility issues and scams impacting Darien consumers, and analyze electric, natural gas and phone bills at a free clinic to help residents save hundreds of dollars a year.

Consumers should bring their bills for a free, one-on-one consultation—or “checkup”—with a CUB expert who will search for ways to lower their utility costs. The clinic is:

1 p.m., Wednesday, July 24   

Indian Prairie Library

401 Plainfield Road

Darien, IL

Note: To register, please call the library at 630-887-8760 ext. 239.

“The key to saving money on your utility bills is simply to read them,” CUB Executive Director David Kolata said. “At a CUB clinic you can sit down with an expert who can explain all the confusing charges, answer your questions, and give you ways to slash your costs. You can’t find a free service like this anywhere else.” 

At CUB’s clinic, consumers will get information on:

* Darien’s “municipal aggregation” program, including how much consumers are saving with the city’s chosen supplier, Direct Energy.

*How to avoid electricity scams. CUB has received troubling reports from consumers who say they’ve been approached by alternative energy suppliers falsely claiming to be endorsed by the city or the utility.

*CUB Energy Saver, www.CUBenergysaver.com, a free online service that has helped consumers cut energy bills by an average of more than $100 a year.

*How to spot unnecessary charges on electric, natural gas and phone bills.

*The low-cost Consumer’s Choice local-calling plans, designed by CUB under a legal settlement with AT&T. The plans have been saving Illinois consumers an average of about $200 a year.

*Illinois’ best long-distance plans and how to get a $10 credit negotiated by CUB. That amounts to about five hours of free calls. 

*Line-Backer, a costly—and optional—AT&T service that most people don’t need.

*CUB’s Cellphone Savings Center, www.CUBCellPhoneSaver.com, which gives the latest tips and information to cut wireless costs.

Attendees should bring their phone, electric and gas bills so CUB experts can look them over. 

CUB is Illinois’ leading nonprofit utility watchdog organization. Created by the Illinois

Legislature, CUB opened its doors in 1984 to represent the interests of residential and small-business utility customers. Since then, CUB has saved consumers more than $10 billion by helping to block rate hikes and secure refunds over the years. For more information, call CUB’s Consumer Hotline at 1-800-669-5556 or visit CUB’s award-winning website, www.CitizensUtilityBoard.org.

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