Customers have complained that Enel São Paulo is sending electricity bills to protest offices after only a few days of delay. Complaints have been received by the Painel S.A. column and posted on Reclame Aqui, amid rising payment delinquency in Brazil.
Some customers say they were not warned before their CPF details were sent for protest. They also report that, after paying overdue bills, they had to cover notary fees to cancel the protest. If it is not canceled, the protest is registered and the debt can appear in credit-check databases. Other complaints say customers were sent to protest even after reaching an agreement to pay what they owed.
Reclame Aqui has more than 3,700 complaints containing the search term “cartório,” all registered this year. Enel says its São Paulo concession serves 8.5 million units.
In a statement, Enel said it takes steps to avoid extrajudicial collection, including notices on bills and contact by WhatsApp, email or text message. It said it may also offer payment arrangements, including installments. The company described protest as a measure used after payment attempts have been exhausted, said it reviews each case individually and maintains that customers are notified beforehand.
Enel added that customers who receive a notice can regularize their accounts through the distributor’s service channels, paying any applicable notary fees. It advised customers who are having trouble paying to contact the company in advance to discuss installment options.
Sources: Folha Mercado.