Credit Policy refined to protect customers’ identities

In 2003, the federal government enacted into law The Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act (FACTA), a measure designed to protect American consumers while in the routine business of establishing or obtaining credit in the market place. Of particular interest to someone seeking utility services is the requirement that all customers be properly identified by their utility company in order to safeguard customers from identity theft by third parties.

Effective November 1, 2009 MLGW will require from all new residential and general power customers a service agreement between the customer and MLGW. MLGW will require all new residential customers, sole proprietors and general partnerships to provide two forms of identification. Corporations, Limited Liability Companies, Limited Liability Partnerships, and Limited Partnerships seeking service must be registered with the Tennessee Secretary of State to be eligible to receive utility service.

MLGW will continue to connect utility services over the telephone. A service agreement will be mailed to the new customer, who will have approximately 30 business days to return the agreement, along with the required identification, to MLGW. MLGW will remind the customer during that time that all documentation should be returned or disconnection of services will occur. Should the service agreement and valid identification not be returned to MLGW by the date requested, the utility services supplied to that customer will be subject to disconnection. Doing business with MLGW on behalf of another customer will now require written authorization from that customer. MLGW’s customer of record may designate an agent for requesting utility service orders and/or accessing billing records and other information. Agents may be an individual or company. Established, properly documented customers need not take any further action at this time. However, a customer who alters service in the future may be asked to update identification as a protective measure. You can examine the MLGW credit policy on our website.