Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/27/2023

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  My Grandmother **** ****, and her father, * * ******, my Great-grandfather, lived in Indiana, County, PA. My Great-grandfather * * ******, died in 1976. My grandmother, **** ****, died in 2012. I was the executor of her estate. A few years after her death, I received a check in the mail from REA Energy Cooperative for $197.88. The check date was 12/13/16. The check had been forwarded to me by the party who purchased my grandmother's former home in Indiana County. This check was payable to ****** * * Estate, with my grandmothers name also on the check.
  
  Upon receiving this check I called the REA Energy Cooperative, and explained the situation, requesting that this check be reissued in my name so that I could cash it. This began a long process of me making many phone calls, receiving different answers to my questions. I followed their instructions, but no new check was issued. Recently I called them and they stated I just needed to send the check and a death certificate for my grandmother, which I did, and received no response, I called them again and was told that they were going through a computer system change, and things were being held up. When I called them again I was told that they had received my documentation and a check would be issued. Once again, I never received a check, and when I called them they told me that I needed to provide more documentation, that may cost me money, and that my grandmothers estate might have to be reopened.
  
  This check has been held up for 6-7 years and I have received the run around from this business in trying to have it reissued. I am requesting that this check in amount of $197.88, and any other funds held in my Grandmother or Great- grandfather's names. be reissued in my name, ******* * ****, and be mailed to me at **** ****** *** ************ **.
  
  Also my Grandmother was the executor of the estate of her sister, ****** ******, who died in 1996. Any funds held in her name should also be issued in my name.

  Business Response

  Date: 09/14/2023

  The Respondent is a cooperative rural electric company. Pursuant to Pennsylvania's Electric Cooperative Law patronage capital is returned to members from time to time. The retirement of patronage capital is not a guarantee for any given year and does not occur until and unless a motion is made and approved by the Board of Directors. Because patronage capital is the working capital of a cooperative, and because all members agree to the terms of service upon the commencement of service, no member has the right to demand the return of all potential patronage capital at any time, including upon death. The decision of the Board of Directors to retire patronage capital in any given year, is based solely on the financial condition of the cooperative in the year in which the decision is made. 
  
  With this understanding, the Complainant appears to seek the return of patronage capital for all years and for a number of individuals, whose legal relationship to the Complainant is unknown or 
  uncertain. 
  
  The Complainant appears to demand the patronage capital of his great grandfather, although he has not provided any legal authorization to claim such funds. The Complainant appears to assert that he is either the personal representative, or the sole beneficiary of the great grandfather's estate, but he has not provided legal authorization to support such a position. The Complainant appears to assert that because his grandmother was the personal representative of her father's estate, and because the Complainant is the personal representative of his grandmother's estate, that he is therefore the personal representative of his great grandfather's estate. Such an understanding would be erroneous. He further requests that any checks be issued directly to him, presumably as a sole beneficiary. He has not provided any evidence or authority for the claim that he is the sole beneficiary of his great grandfather's estate. Until the Respondent receives supporting evidence that he is the personal representative or sole beneficiary of his great grandfather's estate, the Respondent is legally unable to do what he requests. 
  
  The Complainant appears to further demand the patronage capital of his grandmother. The Respondent has been provided with proof of the Complainant's appointment as the personal representative of his grandmother's estate. Therefore, any patronage capital retired by the Board of Directors and owing to the grandmother will be paid to the Complainant, as the personal representative of his grandmother's estate, when those retirements have been approved by the Board of Directors.
  
  Finally, the Complainant appears to assert that his grandmother was the personal representative of her sister's estate, and that the sister was a member of the Respondent. As with the great-grandfather, the Complainant has not provided any authority to show that he is the personal representative of his great aunt's estate, nor has he shown any authority that he is the sole beneficiary of her estate. 
  
  The Respondent is unable to accept the assertions of the Claimant without documentary proof of the authority required. Complainant was able to provide a court order of his authority over his grandmother's estate and that patronage capital will be paid under that authority, when it is retired by the Board of Directors. Complainant must provide the same proof for the retired patronage capital for any other claimed member. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 09/19/2023

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
  
  
  
  *** ****** ** ** ******** **** ****** ** * ****** ** ***** **** ** **** **** **** ** *** ********
  
  

  I was was instructed by an employee of this organization that all I had to due was provide a death certificate for my grandmother and a check would be created payable to myself.  I did this.  Later I was advised that a check was in the process of being created, which it never was.  I was the executor of me grandmother’s estate, she had been prior to this the executor for her father and sister.

  I have an issue with the integrity of this business.  They give Instructions that are not true, and give information that is incorrect.  To me this lack of integrity is a big issue.  I’m asking the to keep their promises.

  
  
  
  Regards,
  
  
  
  ******* ****