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Fuck Ameren. I moved out on my own and paid my bill every month. Then January comes and the bill is like $400 in 2007 money. They set me up with estimated billing without asking me and intentionally under billed me. Then they did an actual meeter reading after the new rate increase took effect in the new year so they could charge more. The state stepped in and forced them to refund everyone affected by the scheme. I think I got roughly $150 back because of the difference in rates.

Edit: I just remebered that when I moved into my first place the power was already turned on. When I called to have it transferred to my name they said that it shouldn't be on and that I should turn it off. Then they charged me with a "meter tampering" fee of around $100.

Dear Customer, you need us more than we need you. Pay up.

Dear Customer:

This letter is in response to correspondence received regarding the account listed above.

It appears as if your correspondence's purpose is to have Ameren Missouri relieve you of the financial responsibility of the balance due on your account. However, the "Accepted for Value" documentation you enclosed does not, in fact, relieve you of any financial responsibility to Ameren Missouri. This is a common scam cited by both the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the US Treasury and you are encouraged to visit their respective websites for more information. In particular, the US Treasury notes, in part, that, "Many of these schemes are variations of a common fraud generally known 'redemption' or 'acceptance for value' that incorrectly asserts the United States government has trust accounts linked to each citizen. The theory is not supported by fact or law and has been soundly rejected by the federal courts." The US Treasury goes on to say that the use of language such as "accept for value" and other similar language "are without merit and establish no rights or privileges in any state account or agency." Finally, the US Treasury states that, "These and similar documents are NOT valid negotiable financial instruments and recipients should NOT accept them or attempt to use them.

Customers of Ameren Missouri are obligated to pay Ameren Missouri for all service rendered on customer's premises. Ameren Missouri is allowed to collect its own debt and provides a detachable slip with the monthly energy statement as a convenience for customers who mail in payments; this slip also ensures that incoming mailed payments are posted to the appropriate account. This is not a "coupon" that can be endorsed and returned as payment, as your correspondence suggests

We cannot accept the documentation you have provided in lieu of payment. It does not, and cannot, legally qualify as any form of legal payment towards your outstanding utility bills. We will not respond to any further attempts to make payment in this manner. You will be responsible for payment of the balance on your account, and failure to make these payments in a legally acceptable manner could lead to disconnection of

your service as well as collection action on your accounts. If you have questions regarding consumer rights and responsibilities, I encourage you to seek legal advice or contact federal, state or local consumer rights agencies for more information regarding the "Acceptance for Value" scam or other similar matters. If you need assistance paying your bill, please contact us at

I appreciate that they provide explanations and try to do a little bit of education/debunking. Whether the actual debt they want to recover is justified, ethical, or just capitalisy greed is another subject of course.

They must've been standing next to the wrong kind of American Flag when they sent the first "payment." Better try again with the other kind.

Tubalcain, Mr. James.

Was there much woffling in the comments?