Telemarketing Call Leaves Couple without Electricity

Couple must keep medications refrigerated

WESLACO - A couple is left in the dark after a telemarketing call leaves them without electricity.

Aurora and Arturo Pineda had their power switched off early this morning. Their family contacted AEP and was told the couple's electric company had been switched from CPL to Commerce Energy.

Commerce Energy said the couple agreed to the switch during a telemarketing call back in November, but the couple says they don't recall doing that.

Both Aurora and Arturo take medication that needs to be kept refrigerated, but without power that was bound to be a problem.

The family cancelled their service with Commerce Energy, but was told they would have to pay a cancellation fee. They contacted CPL to get their service back, but were told they'd have to wait a few days, something Aurora and Arturo simply could not do.

The family contacted NEWSCHANNEL 5, we contacted AEP and the couple's electricity was reconnected a short time later.

As for Commerce Energy, they've agreed to stop billing the couple.