Prepaid Oil Customers Have Credit Protection

HARTFORD — Customers of the now-closed F&S Oil Company, Village Oil, Bosse Graziano Oil Company, Carlson Fuel of Meriden, Inc, and US Fuels who prebought fuel using their credit card should take advantage of an important consumer protection available to them through the Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA), according to Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner Jerry Farrell, Jr.

“The Fair Credit Billing Act establishes procedures that apply to disputes about credit card billing errors or issues,” Mr Farrell said. “In this case, customers who prepaid by credit card for fuel that was never delivered can dispute the charges, and may receive credit or repayment for the portion of prepaid fuel that wasn’t delivered. However, to take advantage of this safeguard, act promptly.”

Consumers who are still owed fuel that was charged to their credit card by one of the now-closed companies should send a letter to their credit card company at the address given for “billing inquiries” — not the address for sending payments.

Send your letter by certified mail, return receipt requested, so you have proof of what the creditor received. Include copies (not originals) of sales slips, your contract, or other documents that support your position. In the letter, provide your name, address, credit card account number, and a description of the issue with the nondelivery of oil that was prepaid.

The law states that your letter must reach the creditor within 60 days after the first bill containing the error was mailed to you. Keep a copy of your dispute letter.

For more information on the Fair Credit Billing Act, visit the Federal Trade Commission website at www.ftc.gov.