Beatrice Lang
If you've received an email from Ohio Electricity Litigation, you may be wondering if it's a scam. The Better Business Bureau serving Greater Cleveland has confirmed that these emails are not scams and that they are legitimate utility-related solicitations. The emails are related to a class-action lawsuit against FirstEnergy and its spinoff company, Energy Harbor. The settlement is being distributed in the form of physical checks, debit cards, and
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is it a scam? | No, it is not a scam. |
| Who is it from? | Ohio Electricity Litigation, a part of A.B. Data, Ltd based out of Milwaukee. |
| What is it about? | A class-action lawsuit against FirstEnergy and its spinoff company, Energy Harbor. |
| Who is eligible for the settlement? | Consumers who were customers of FirstEnergy subsidiaries Ohio Edison, Cleveland Electric, or Toledo Edison between January 1, 2020, and June 22, 2022. |
| What is the settlement amount? | The settlement is $49 million, with an average settlement of about $15-16. |
| What is the payment mode? | Physical checks, debit cards, and digital payments. |
| Email address | [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] |
| Phone number | 1-877-888-9895 |
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What You'll Learn
The Ohio Electricity Litigation email is not a scam
If you have received an email from Ohio Electricity Litigation, you may be concerned that it is a scam. However, the Better Business Bureau serving Greater Cleveland has confirmed that these emails are not scams but "a rare example of a legitimate utility-related solicitation".
The emails are being sent to consumers who were customers of FirstEnergy subsidiaries Ohio Edison, Cleveland Electric, or Toledo Edison between January 1, 2020, and June 22, 2022. These customers were automatically included in a class action lawsuit against FirstEnergy and its spinoff company, Energy Harbor. The lawsuit, Smith v. FirstEnergy Corp., et al., Case No. 2:20-cv-3755, is pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. A similar lawsuit, Emmons v. FirstEnergy Corp., et al., Case No. CV-20 935557, is also pending in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas.
The settlement from the lawsuit is $49 million, and it is being shared by all FirstEnergy customers. The settlement payments range from $1 to $250, with the average being about $15-16. The larger sums are most likely going to large commercial customers, while the smaller amounts may be for those who only briefly used the service. The settlement funds began being distributed on July 31, 2023, and customers have until September 29, 2023, to choose their payment option.
If you have received an email from [email protected] or [email protected], it is legitimate. Tremendous is the digital payment provider for this settlement. If you have accidentally deleted the email or want to find out more about the settlement, you can visit the official website at https://www.ohioelectricitylitigation.com/ or call the settlement administrator hotline at 877-888-9895.
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It is a legitimate utility-related solicitation
If you have received an email or letter from Ohio Electricity Litigation, you may be concerned that it is a scam. However, the Better Business Bureau serving Greater Cleveland (BBB) has confirmed that these mailings are "a rare example of a legitimate utility-related solicitation". While utility scams are common during the summer months, the recent correspondence from Ohio Electricity Litigation is not a scam.
Ohio Electricity Litigation is a part of A.B. Data, Ltd based out of Milwaukee. They were named the Settlement Administrator for a class action lawsuit against FirstEnergy and its spinoff company, Energy Harbor. The lawsuit, Smith v. FirstEnergy Corp., et al., Case No. 2:20-cv-3755, is pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. A similar lawsuit, Emmons v. FirstEnergy Corp., et al., Case No. CV-20 935557, is also pending in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas. The plaintiffs in these lawsuits allege that FirstEnergy and its subsidiaries engaged in a racketeering scheme to influence the passage of HB 6, resulting in excessive charges for electricity for some Ohio residents.
As a result of the lawsuit, a settlement of $49 million is being shared by all FirstEnergy customers. The settlement payments range from $1 to $250, with the average being about $15-16. The distribution of funds is taking the form of physical checks, debit cards, and digital payments. If you receive an email from [email protected] or [email protected], it is legitimate, as Tremendous is the digital payment provider for this settlement. You can also contact the administrators if you prefer a different form of payment.
If you have any concerns or questions about the Ohio Electricity Litigation mailing, you can contact them directly by email at [email protected] or by calling their toll-free number at 1-877-888-9895. They also have a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document on their website, which can provide more information.
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It is related to a class-action lawsuit
If you have received an email from Ohio Electricity Litigation, it is related to a class-action lawsuit. The lawsuit, filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, is against FirstEnergy and its spinoff company, Energy Harbor. The plaintiffs in the case, Smith v. FirstEnergy Corp., et al., Case No. 2:20-cv-3755, allege that FirstEnergy and its subsidiaries engaged in a racketeering scheme to influence the passage of HB 6, resulting in excessive electricity charges for some Ohio residents.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) serving Greater Cleveland has confirmed that these emails are not a scam. They have stated that Ohio Electricity Litigation is a legitimate utility-related solicitation and is the Settlement Administrator for the class-action lawsuit against FirstEnergy. The BBB advises consumers who have concerns or questions to contact Ohio Electricity Litigation directly.
As a result of the lawsuit, a $49 million settlement is being shared by all FirstEnergy customers. The settlement payments range from $1 to $250, with the average being about $15-16. The settlement is being distributed in the form of physical checks, debit cards, and digital payments. If you received an email from [email protected] or [email protected], it is legitimate, as Tremendous is the digital payment provider for this settlement.
It is important to note that consumers who wished to pursue litigation on their own behalf had to opt out of the settlement distribution by October 5, 2022. If you are a customer of FirstEnergy's three operating companies in Ohio (Toledo Edison, Cleveland Electric, or Ohio Edison) and paid any rates, charges, fees, or tolls pursuant to HB 6 between January 1, 2020, and June 22, 2022, you are included in the settlement class.
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It is not SPAM, but from a digital payment provider
If you have received an email from [email protected] or [email protected], it is not SPAM. Tremendous is the digital payment provider for this settlement, and this is how your digital payment is being delivered to you. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) serving Greater Cleveland has confirmed that these emails are not a scam and that they are legitimate utility-related solicitations.
The emails relate to a class-action lawsuit, Smith v. FirstEnergy Corp., et al., Case No. 2:20-cv-3755, which is pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. A similar lawsuit, Emmons v. FirstEnergy Corp., et al., Case No. CV-20 935557, is also pending in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas. The lawsuits claim that FirstEnergy, FirstEnergy Service, Ohio Edison, Toledo Edison, Cleveland Electric, and others engaged in a racketeering scheme to influence the passage of HB 6, resulting in excessive charges for electricity for some Ohio residents.
As a result of the settlement, customers are receiving payments ranging from $1 to $250, with an average of about $15-$16. The payments are being distributed in the form of physical checks, debit cards, and digital payments. If you accidentally deleted the email or want more information about the settlement, you can visit the official website at https://www.ohioelectricitylitigation.com/ or call the settlement administrator hotline at 877-888-9895.
It is important to note that there are other scams related to FirstEnergy that you should be aware of. For example, scammers have posed as FirstEnergy utility company employees, demanding separate payments for smart meter equipment installation and threatening to shut off power unless immediate payment is made. FirstEnergy has confirmed that these are scams and that they do not collect separate payments for smart meter equipment or installation. Always be cautious when providing personal information or making payments, and if you have any doubts, contact FirstEnergy directly to verify.
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FirstEnergy is involved in other scams and scandals
The Ohio Electricity Litigation email is not a scam. It is related to a class-action lawsuit against FirstEnergy and its spinoff company, Energy Harbor. The lawsuit, filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, alleges that FirstEnergy and its subsidiaries engaged in a racketeering scheme to influence the passage of HB 6, resulting in excessive electricity charges for some Ohio residents.
FirstEnergy, one of the largest investor-owned electric utility systems in the US, has been involved in other scams and scandals. The company has warned its customers about various scams targeting small businesses and residential customers. In one such scam, individuals pose as FirstEnergy utility employees, either through phone calls or in-person visits, and threaten to shut off power unless immediate payment is made through a prepaid debit card or money transfer service. Scammers may also use Caller ID spoofing software to misrepresent the source of the call and request sensitive information such as social security or bank account details. FirstEnergy has clarified that their employees do not solicit door-to-door, request sensitive information over the phone, or require customers to purchase prepaid money cards for payment.
In addition to these scams, FirstEnergy has faced significant legal troubles and allegations of fraud. In 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) charged FirstEnergy with fraud in connection with a multi-year political corruption scheme. The SEC found that FirstEnergy and its affiliates made approximately $60 million in payments to an entity controlled by former Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives, Larry Householder. These payments were made in exchange for official action that benefited FirstEnergy's business interests, including the passing of specific nuclear legislation. Following Householder's arrest, FirstEnergy was found to have made misrepresentations to investors about its role in the scheme and failed to disclose material transactions related to the payments. As a result, FirstEnergy agreed to settle the charges and pay a civil penalty of $100 million.
The company has also been implicated in other lawsuits, including one styled Emmons v. FirstEnergy Corp., pending in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas. The plaintiffs in these cases allege violations of federal and state laws, including the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) and the Ohio Corrupt Practices Act (OCPA). FirstEnergy has denied any liability in these cases, and the courts have not yet made any decisions on the merits of the claims.
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Frequently asked questions
No, it is not a scam. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has confirmed that the emails are legitimate.
The email is regarding a class-action lawsuit against FirstEnergy and its spinoff company, Energy Harbor. The lawsuit, Smith v. FirstEnergy Corp., et al., Case No. 2:20-cv-3755, is pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.
If you receive an email from Ohio Electricity Litigation, you can contact them directly with any concerns or questions. Their email address is [email protected], and their toll-free number is 1-877-888-9895. You can also visit their website, www.ohioelectricitylitigation.com, for more information.
