CURB teams with AG at consumer summit

April 8, 2009

CURB expanded its public outreach efforts when it joined a team of consumer advocates and consumer protection agencies at a consumer summit on March 2.

The "Knowledge is Power" seminar in Topeka presented workshops for the public and consumer professionals on such topics as ID theft, predatory lending, and issues affecting senior citizens. The Attorney General's office organized the event, and invited representatives from several state agencies to conduct the workshops and answer questions from consumers and professionals in attendance.

The AG's office invited CURB to set up an informational booth. We invited the KCC to send their best consumer protection investigator to assist us in answering consumers' questions.

CURB attorney Niki Christopher and KCC investigator Lori Forster shared a booth in the lobby and answered attendees' questions about utility matters. They spent a busy day fielding inquiries about the Cold Weather Rule, level payment plans, obtaining financial assistance with utility bills, and what kinds of health problems make a customer eligible for enhanced protection against disconnection of utility services.

"We answered a lot of questions from senior citizens on fixed incomes," said Christopher. "A lot of folks are concerned that utilities will become unaffordable if the costs keep going up." She added, "Several of the professionals who stopped by the booth expressed appreciation that there are people like us who are able to explain the rules and can get them the information they need to help their clients."

In summarizing the day, Christopher said that it is always enjoyable to get out of the office and have face-to-face conversations with the people that CURB represents.

"We work really hard for customers year-round, but don't get many opportunities to meet them in person and listen to their stories and help them with their concerns, she said. "We can't fix everything, but sometimes we are able to point them towards assistance or help them understand something about utility matters that they didn't understand before. It's a really satisfying part of our jobs at CURB."