Kıb-Tek are abusing the little people

ON WEDNESDAY, December 20, at 9.30am the power went off in our home. We thought it was one of the usual power cuts we have been experiencing (albeit not as frequent as they used to be), so waited patiently for the power to return. When this didn’t happen for some time we checked our neighbours’ properties and realised they all had power.

We were now getting worried so contacted the Kıb-Tek electricity authority, who said we had been “cut off”. We were astonished and asked why, as all our bills are paid through our bank by way of direct debit.

Kıb-Tek informed us that we owed 40TL and until we paid that amount we would remain disconnected. We tried to reason with them and explain, but to no avail.

Having then contacted our bank, they confirmed that all payments had been made and we were not in debt. In fact a payment to Kib-Tek had been made on December 14. We paid the 40TL straight away and were thus reconnected.

We have lived in this country for 12 years and have never missed a bill, never been in debt, crossed all the “T”s and dotted the “I”s and been law-abiding residents. It is beyond comprehension that the little people get treated like this but big hotels and other large organisations can owe thousands, if not millions, without being penalised. We were not even given the 30 days’ notice we were entitled to, to make the payment.

It is experiences like this that make you lose faith. Editor’s note: A Kıb-Tek spokesman said SMS messages were sent out to keep customers informed about bills and any outstanding amounts, but this might not reach householders if the meter was not in their name. He denied, however, that power would be cut off for a 40TL debt, saying this was only triggered by outstanding bills of 469TL-plus. He advised householders with problems or questions to call English-speaking KıbTek staff on 600 0960 or 188.