RELATED: Vectren applies to raise natural gas rates
Lead plaintiff Kristyn Plummer alleged in her complaint that her bill for February 2017 contained a charge of $45.50 for “Vectren Home Solutions.”
Vectren entered into a relationship with Nicor that allowed Nicor to charge Vectren customers for Nicor charges on Vectren bills, the suit alleged.
The suit showed a copy of the “balance due” section of Plummer’s bill, including a small-print disclaimer that said failing to pay would not result in service disconnection.
“Nicor’s plans are not insurance, but are essentially valueless repair plans that consumers would not knowingly purchase because these plans are unnecessary, expensive, and provide very little coverage, if any at all,” the suit charged.
Nicor Energy Services Co. was the sole defendant in the lawsuit.
“Vectren Energy Delivery of Ohio was not a party in the Plummer/Pyles vs. Nicor settlement,” Vectren said in a statement. “ Customers who voluntarily elected these services may be receiving distributions as a result of the recent settlement in the class action law suit in which Vectren was not named.”
One reader contacted Cox Media Group Ohio to say he received a settlement check for $60.85.
According to a web site answering questions about the settlements, defendants decided to settle the suit without admitting wrongdoing.
MORE: Butler County health network eyes Dayton for new community center
“The defendant denies all claims and allegations of wrongdoing asserted in the actions and contends that it acted lawfully and that it did not violate any applicable law,” one statement on the web site says. “Notwithstanding the denial of liability and alleged unlawful conduct, the defendant has decided it is in its best interest to settle the actions to avoid the burden, expense, risk, and uncertainty of continuing the litigation.”
The site says Ohio consumers may be affected by the settlement if they paid the disputed charge on a Vectren bill between Jan. 1, 2012 and Oct. 10, 2018.
It appears federal court in Indiana gave preliminary approval for the settlement agreement in October 2018.
A Vectren spokeswoman said a response may be forthcoming later. This story will be updated.
About the Author
