Troy & Banks Opens Norfolk, VA Office

Utility and phone auditing firm expands presence into Virginia

Buffalo, NY – Troy & Banks, Inc., a consulting firm that specializes in utility and telecommunications audits, headquartered in Buffalo, NY, has just opened a new branch office in Norfolk, VA.  The office is located at 325 East Bayview Blvd., Suite 201, in Norfolk.

Following the awarding of several statewide RFPs for performance-based utility and phone audits, Troy & Banks has begun or completed audits for numerous government entities across the State. These include the City of Portsmouth, with refunds and annual savings of over $100,000, and the City of Williamsburg, with refunds and annual savings of $39,000.  Troy & Banks has also serviced Norfolk Public Schools, with refunds and savings of $147,000, and Chesapeake Public Schools, with refunds and savings of $150,000.  These are just a few of Troy & Banks’ clients across the State.

“We have found Virginia to be a state where we have been incredibly successful in recovering overcharge refunds and reducing costs for our clients, and, in some cases, have found over $100,000 in refunds and annual savings,” notes Thomas Ranallo, President of Troy & Banks. “In fact, there is not one audit that we have completed in Virginia where we did not find an error or savings opportunity for our client.  By expanding our business, we are able to provide our services to more companies, in more places, and return dollars to our clients’ budgets.”

Troy & Banks reviews each client’s utility and telecommunications accounts, dating back up to three years, to reclaim money from possible billing errors and to discover potential savings opportunities. The company finds that 75% of organizations have errors or savings opportunities on their utility and phone bills. With a team consisting of expert analysts, many of whom have worked for utility and telecommunication companies prior to joining the company, Troy & Banks’ employees have the expertise to find mistakes in bills that many would fail to notice.

About Troy & Banks, Inc.: Since 1992, Troy & Banks, Inc. has saved its clients over $200 million in utility and telecommunication costs. Other recent clients include: City of Virginia Beach, Fairfax County Water Authority, Hanover County Schools, General Mills, Amtrak, New York Stock Exchange, and the U.S. Postal Service. Headquartered in Buffalo, N.Y., Troy & Banks, Inc. serves clients nationwide with representatives in ten states. For more information, please call Thomas Ranallo at 1-800-499-8599 or visit www.troybanks.com.

Verizon Landline Customers Overcharged Millions

Court orders Verizon to issue refunds

Buffalo, NY - Over the past seven years, many Verizon landline customers have been paying for services they did not authorize or receive on their monthly telephone bills. These overcharges are known as cramming charges, or unauthorized, misleading, or deceptive charges on a customer’s telephone bill. Cramming charges are billed by a third party company who is not affiliated with the phone provider, but is still able to bill on the invoice. Cramming charges can be listed on Verizon customers’ monthly telephone bill as service and long distance fees, web hosting, collect calls and other miscellaneous charges. Cramming charges can range in price from $1.99 to as much as $49.95 per month. Only 1 in 20 Americans are aware of these charges on their bills, which affect an estimated 15 to 20 million households per year.

Verizon was recently sued over allowing these charges on their customers’ bills. Verizon settled the lawsuit, and, in accordance with the settlement, the court ruled that all cramming charges from April 27, 2005 to February 25, 2012 must be reimbursed to Verizon landline customers who file a claim. Verizon customers can visit the settlement site, www.verizonthirdpartybillingsettlement.com, to obtain a summary of all potential cramming charges billed to them during that time period. Customers can then use this information to submit a claim to Verizon for a full refund.

Verizon has recently been sending out notifications of the settlement via mail and e-mail to affected customers. Customers who receive this information should be aware that the settlement is legitimate and the instructions provided should be followed in order to obtain a refund.

Troy & Banks, Inc., a utility and phone auditing company headquartered in Buffalo, NY, has been working with many clients on recovering refunds from cramming charges. Troy & Banks recommends Verizon landline customers visit the settlement website, even if they have not received notification from Verizon, to see if there is a potential for a refund. “With so many households nationwide being affected by cramming charges, there is a strong likelihood that many Verizon landline customers in Western New York were billed these erroneous charges as well,” says Brandon Jonas, a member of the Client Services department at Troy & Banks.

About Troy & Banks, Inc.: Since 1992, Troy & Banks, Inc. has saved its clients over $200 million in utility and telecommunications costs. Other recent clients include: Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, Calspan, Buffalo Public Schools, M & T Bank, Amtrak, New York Stock Exchange, and the U.S. Postal Service. Headquartered in Buffalo, N.Y., Troy & Banks, Inc. serves clients nationwide with representatives in ten states. For more information, please call Brandon Jonas at 716-517-3974 or visit www.troybanks.com.

Western Suffolk County BOCES Chooses Troy & Banks, Inc.

Educational organization to have utility bills audited

Buffalo, NY – Western Suffolk County BOCES, located in Huntington Station, NY, has selected local auditing firm Troy & Banks, Inc. to conduct an audit of its utility services.

The Board of Cooperative Educational Services of western Suffolk County, NY, serves the 18 school districts of Babylon, Smithtown, and Huntington, NY. The organization partners with these districts to provide various services in an attempt to decrease gaps in student achievement.

Troy & Banks, headquartered in Buffalo, NY, will perform audits on BOCES’ utility bills in an attempt to recover refunds from possible billing errors.  Troy & Banks auditors have worked in the utility and telecommunications field previously, which helps their ability to recover refunds and provide better energy solutions to help their client to save money in the future.

About Troy & Banks, Inc.: Since beginning its services in 1992, Troy & Banks, Inc. has saved its clients over $200 million in utility and telecommunications costs. The company serves clients nationwide and has offices in ten states.  Current clients of Troy & Banks include: Port Authority of NY & NJ, County of Suffolk, NY, New York Stock Exchange, Long Island Railroad, and the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA).  For more information, please call Thomas Ranallo at 1-800-499-8599 or visit www.troybanks.com.

About Western Suffolk County BOCES: Western Suffolk County BOCES is an educational organization that provides services in Special Education, Career and Technical Education, and instructional support and technology services to regional communities and school districts.  It is one of three BOCES located on Long Island, and one of 37 located in New York State.  For more information, please visit http://www.wsboces.org.

Hanover County Public Schools Selects Troy & Banks

School District to have utility and telecommunications bills reviewed

Buffalo, NY – Hanover County Public Schools in Virginia is one of the latest school districts in the state to undergo a utility and phone audit by Troy & Banks.

Hanover County Public Schools (HCPS), located in the Richmond, VA metropolitan region, is one of the largest school districts in the state of Virginia and one of the top 300 districts, in terms of size, out of the 15,500 school districts in the United States. HCPS serves over 19,000 students across 25 schools.

Troy & Banks will review HCPS’ utility and phone accounts, dating back several years, to reclaim money from possible billing errors. Troy & Banks will also review the accounts for potential savings opportunities. Troy & Banks employs auditors who have the experience and expertise to find mistakes in bills that most people would fail to notice. Troy & Banks’ team consists of expert analysts, many of whom have worked for utility and telecommunication companies prior to joining the company. If the audit shows that HCPS was overcharged, it will receive refunds from the appropriate utility and/or phone providers.

“Troy & Banks is looking forward to working with Hanover County Public Schools,” notes Thomas Ranallo, President of Troy & Banks. “Education is the key to our country’s future. Anything that we can do to recoup money for HCPS or reduce its costs, is money that the school district can use to further the education of our children. We will be performing a comprehensive review of HCPS’ utility and phone accounts and will be looking for any instance of overcharges, as well as possible future cost reductions, in an effort to return money to HCPS’ budget” states Ranallo.

About Troy & Banks, Inc.: Since 1992, Troy & Banks, Inc. has saved its clients over $200 million in utility and telecommunications costs. Other recent clients include: Newport News Public Schools, City of Williamsburg, Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, New York Stock Exchange, and the U.S. Postal Service. Headquartered in Buffalo, N.Y., Troy & Banks, Inc. serves clients nationwide with representatives in ten states. For more information, please call Thomas Ranallo at 1-800-499-8599 or visit www.troybanks.com.

About Hanover County Public Schools (HCPS): Hanover County Public Schools, located outside Richmond, Virginia, is one of the largest school divisions in the United States. For more information, please visit www.hanover.k12.va.us.

MIGHTY TACO SELECTS TROY & BANKS

Local company chosen to audit a hometown favorite

Buffalo, New York- The popular Buffalo-styled Mexican chain restaurant Mighty Taco has selected Troy & Banks, Inc. to conduct a comprehensive audit of its utility and telecommunications bills.  This review will uncover and correct any possible billing errors that may exist.

Mighty Taco was first established at 1247 Hertel Avenue in Buffalo, New York on August 31, 1973.  Almost 40 years later, Mighty Taco Inc. currently operates 18 restaurants in the area.  Since its initial opening, Mighty Taco has quickly evolved into a fast-food favorite in the Buffalo community.

Troy & Banks will analyze Mighty Taco’s utility and phone invoices dating back up to six years in order to determine any potential billing errors that may have occurred.  These overcharges will then be refunded by the proper utility or telecommunications provider.  Auditors at Troy & Banks will work diligently to make sure that Mighty Taco receives any and all refunds to which the company is entitled.  The firm’s ultimate goal is to assist companies in saving money, and Troy & Banks will continue this tradition right in its own backyard.

“With the current state of our economy and every dollar becoming increasingly important, it is no surprise that companies are looking for ways to save money,” stated Troy & Banks President, Thomas Ranallo.  “We are very excited to be working with Mighty Taco and are optimistic about helping them to cut costs.”

About Troy & Banks, Inc.: Since 1991, Troy & Banks, Inc. has saved its clients over $200 million in utility and telecommunications costs. Other recent clients include: Anderson’s Frozen Custard, SUNY at Buffalo (UB), Buffalo Public Schools, Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA), M & T Bank, New York Stock Exchange, and the U.S. Postal Service. Headquartered in Buffalo, N.Y., Troy & Banks, Inc. serves clients nationwide with representatives in ten states. For more information, please call Thomas Ranallo at 1-800-499-8599 or visit www.troybanks.com.

Spot Coffee Becomes New Client of Troy & Banks

Evolving Coffee Franchise will have energy and phone bills reviewed

Buffalo, NY – Troy & Banks has recently added Spot Coffee to its already long list of local clients. The company will audit all of the company’s utility and phone bills in order to find any overcharges and discover any possible savings opportunities for the franchise.

Troy & Banks has already performed auditing work for several local food businesses, including Salvatore’s Italian Garden, The Como Restaurant, and Oliver’s Restaurant. Spot Coffee, one of the firm’s newest clients, has several locations in Western New York, as well as Rochester, Canada, and, now, Florida. Each Spot Coffee shop serves as a welcoming and friendly place where customers can enjoy specialty coffee and beverages, along with freshly made baked goods and lunch items.

The expansion of Spot Coffee from its original shop in Buffalo to various other locations has resulted in significant financial growth for the franchise, creating a need for closer review of billings to correct any errors and ensure the recovery of refunds. “Just as we have done for all of our clients, we will look for any billing discrepancies and overcharges to return as much money as possible to the company,” notes Thomas Ranallo, President of Troy & Banks.

Troy & Banks will professionally audit all of Spot Coffee’s utility and telecom bills, which could potentially save the company significant amounts of money, as well as prevent any discovered billing problems from re-occurring in the future. “Troy & Banks is excited to begin a thorough audit for the Spot Coffee franchise and is optimistic that money will be recovered in some capacity,” states Ranallo.

About Troy & Banks, Inc.: Since 1991, Troy & Banks, Inc. has saved its clients over $200 million in utility and telecommunications costs. Other recent clients include: Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA), SUNY at Buffalo (UB), Buffalo Public Schools, M & T Bank, Amtrak, New York Stock Exchange, and the U.S. Postal Service. Headquartered in Buffalo, N.Y., Troy & Banks, Inc. serves clients nationwide with representatives in ten states. For more information, please call Thomas Ranallo at 1-800-499-8599 or visit www.troybanks.com.

((The following article was published on July 6, 2011 in Newsday)

Pair should have noticed gas bill flaw

By Mark Harrington

mark.harrington@newsday.com

Sal and Ruth Mazzaro should have been reading their bills and rate brochures.

That, in a nutshell, is the state Public Service Commission’s response to a Lynbrook couple who argued they were overcharged more than $10,000 — after being wrongly classified as commercial gas customers for 41 years — and wanted a full refund from National Grid. Instead, they will get about $420. They already have filed an appeal and plan to hire an attorney to represent them.

The Mazzaros say bills are so complicated and cryptic that they never knew until recently they were being billed for decades at the higher rate that commercial customers pay.

“This is crazy,” said Sal Mazzaro, 76, who was notified of the PSC’s decision by letter last week. “Aren’t they [National Grid] responsible for some part of this?”

The dispute is one of several that have come to light in recent months following revelations that customers may have been overcharged because they were wrongly classified.

The Long Island Power Authority, in a separate case last month, refunded a Patchogue couple almost $8,000 for a 10-year misclassification of their electric rate as commercial instead of residential. The PSC oversees its gas business, but LIPA isn’t subject to PSC oversight.

LIPA admitted the Rizzo family’s home never should have been classified as commercial.

But others pressing complaints to Long Island utilities of overcharges that went undetected for years are finding redress harder to come by.

The Mazzaros say they’ve been misclassified for the 41 years they’ve lived in their home, for both gas and electric service. Pointing to the $420 refund they received for a year’s worth of gas overcharges, they estimate the excess payments plus interest and utility taxes over the four-decade span easily tops $10,000. Their son discovered the error when he happened to examine their utility bills in March.

In limiting the Mazzaros’ refund, the PSC cited the annual rate brochures and monthly bills mailed to the couple.

The commission found the notices “reasonable and adequate in providing rate information should a customer have a question about the rate at which they are being billed,” the PSC letter to the couple states.

The couple’s electric-bill dispute with LIPA is still pending. LIPA declined to comment.

Meanwhile, a utility-bill auditing firm that filed a dispute on behalf of the College at Old Westbury said it was recently notified that a challenge for years of overbilling at an incorrect rate class would result in a refund for only several months.

That decision, according to Tom Ranallo, president of Buffalo-based Troy & Banks, means the college won’t get $200,000 in overpayments he calculates it is owed, a decision he plans to dispute. Other utilities, and even LIPA and National Grid until last fall, he said, gave refunds for up to six years of billing overcharge errors.

“I’m shocked and I’m concerned for other consumers that are going to find themselves in the same position” as Old Westbury, Ranallo said. He filed a similar case on behalf of the New York State Parks service against LIPA, whose billing disputes are handled by National Grid, and received a similarly limited refund.

PSC spokesman James Denn said the six-year rule doesn’t apply to a “rebilling/refund for an incorrect rate.”

LIPA, whose board of trustees intervened on behalf of the Rizzos after their case became publicized last month, ordered National Grid to improve its customer service response.

In a statement, National Grid said: “National Grid will continue to follow practices outlined by PSC rules and regulations. We review issues on a case-by-case basis and work to resolve them with our customers.”

The PSC’s decision to back the limited refunds drew the ire of two county legislators, who say they will ask their state counterparts to pass a bill demanding that rate notifications and bills are easy to understand.

“The Mazzaro case raises serious questions regarding the practices of National Grid,” said Suffolk Legis. Edward P. Romaine (R-Center Moriches), adding he was “troubled the PSC appears to have abandoned the six-year review and correction standard established by both past practice and New York State law, and instead has put the burden on the customer.”

Nassau Legis. David Denenberg (D-Merrick) said he plans to write to state legislators and Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo that utilities should be forced to make clear to customers their rate classification. He said the Mazzaros should receive a refund for the full 41 years of suspected overcharges.

Check your billing rate

Experts say it’s best to check your bills to make sure you’re being properly classified.

CHECK YOUR RATE CLASS. For LIPA and National Grid bills, it appears near the top of the second page. Most LIPA customers are rate 180, residential general use. If it says commercial and you’re not a business, call LIPA at 800-490-0025 and ask that it be investigated and changed.

National Grid gas also puts the rate class near the top of the second page of bills. If it says commercial, general use, and you’re a residential customer, call National Grid at 800-930-5003 and ask for a change.

READ THE BILLS CAREFULLY. Look for wide fluctuations in usage and charges, and question the utilities if anything appears out of order.

(The following article appeared in the June 8, 2011 edition of Newsday)

LIPA billing error-prone, counties say

By Mark Harrington

mark.harrington@newsday.com

Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos pointed the finger this week at weak oversight by county government and an “error-prone” LIPA billing system in an inquiry into why Nassau overpaid $4.5 million for electricity between 2009 and 2010.

Separately, Suffolk County Comptroller Joseph Sawicki said he hired an outside firm, Troy & Banks of Buffalo, in January to audit the county’s LIPA and National Grid bills after finding some $2 million in overbilling by Verizon in a similar audit.

Sawicki said the audit of the gas and electric bills, amounting to $4.8 million and $25.7 million respectively in 2009, hasn’t been completed yet.  But Sawicki said that if he finds overbillings he will go back years, “as the statute of limitations allows,” Suffolk to recoup as much as possible.  “There’s big money in dissecting these utility bills,” he said.

In Nassau, Maragos said in a report Monday that “lack of oversight and accountability” at numerous county departments that dealt with LIPA, as well as a “lack of cooperation and responsiveness” from LIPA on billing discrepancies led to the overbillings.

According to the report, an error by the county in processing a $1.5-million overpayment in 2008-2009 compounded itself the following year to the point where Nassau had an accumulated LIPA credit of $4.5 million on its balanced-billing account.

To settle the billing dispute, LIPA cut Nassau a check for $2 million last year and allowed the county to skip a monthly payment.  Nassau paid $18.8 million in electric bills in 2009.

In a statement, Maragos said the LIPA system for the county’s 1,857 separate electrical accounts was “found to be error-prone and lacks customer protection features against unauthorized service installations and unauthorized changes to customer account settings.”  Nassau also incurred erroneous sales tax charges in certain instances, Maragos said.

In a statement Friday, LIPA said, “We fundamentally disagree with the comptroller and his findings.”  National Grid, on LIPA’s behalf, had been meeting quarterly with the county since a new billing system was put in place in 2005, and increased the meetings recently to monthly, LIPA said.  National Grid declined to comment.

Tom Ranallo, president of Troy & Banks, said his firm, under contract with the state Office of Taxpayer Accountability, already is conducting audits of LIPA and National Grid billing of the Long Island Rail Road and of state parks.  He said the company has identified incorrect rates for entities such as Bethpage State Park dating back at least six years; LIPA has refunded seven months of overpayment, to the date when the firm identified the problem, he said.

Bethpage State Park received a refund of $1,000 for six months of overcharges, compared with the more than $10,000 Ranallo says are owed under state law. “It’s like the Wild West with LIPA,” he said, adding, “It seems to me they are not accountable to anyone.”

LIPA spokeswoman Vanessa Baird-Streeter said LIPA disagreed with Ranallo’s assessment, but was unable immediately to provide detailed reasons.

Anderson’s Frozen Custard selects Troy & Banks

Local Dining Business in Buffalo to have utility and phone bills reviewed

Buffalo, NY – Buffalo’s Anderson’s Frozen Custard, has recently selected to undergo a utility and phone audit by Troy & Banks, a utility and telecommunications auditing and consulting firm based in Buffalo, NY. Troy & Banks has been chosen to audit Anderson’s utility bills and locate any potential errors in billing.

Founded in 1947 by Carl and Greta Anderson, Anderson’s Frozen Custard has built a reputation in the Buffalo community for their variety of food and dessert. With several locations throughout the Buffalo region, Anderson’s continues to serve as a place to dine for many residents.

“Troy & Banks is excited to be working with Anderson’s Frozen Custard,” declares Thomas Ranallo, President of Troy & Banks. “With the summer upon us, it will be a busy season for Anderson’s. During this time, their energy costs will be increasing due to the high volume of customers. We are optimistic in our comprehensive reviews of Anderson’s utility and phone statements that we will be able to recover positive results and assist in lowering their energy costs for the summer” states Ranallo.

Troy & Banks will analyze Anderson’s utility and phone accounts, dating back to as far as six years, to recover any money from potential billing errors. Troy & Banks proudly employs auditors who have the experience and expertise to find inaccuracies in utility bills, most of which have worked for utility and telecommunications companies prior to joining the firm. Troy & Banks performs audits on a contingency basis, which means the only obtain compensation if errors are successfully found. If overcharges are located, refunds are returned to the client.

About Troy & Banks, Inc.: Since 1992, Troy & Banks, Inc. has saved its clients over $200 million in utility and telecommunications costs. Other recent clients include: SUNY at Buffalo (UB), Buffalo Public Schools, M & T Bank, and Salvatore’s Italian Gardens. Headquartered in Buffalo, N.Y., Troy & Banks, Inc. serves clients nationwide with representatives in ten states. For more information, please call Thomas Ranallo at 1-800-499-8599 or visit www.troybanks.com.

MTA “On Board” with Troy & Banks

Largest Public Transportation System in U.S. to have utility bills reviewed

Buffalo, NY – The Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) in New York City is the latest state agency to undergo a utility audit by Troy & Banks. The State of New York had selected Troy & Banks, Inc., a utility and telecommunications auditing and consulting firm, to audit the utility bills of all state agencies.

Troy & Banks will review the MTA’s utility accounts, dating back to six years, to reclaim money from possible billing errors. Troy & Banks will also review the accounts for potential savings opportunities. Troy & Banks employs auditors who have the experience and expertise to find mistakes in bills that most people would fail to notice. Troy & Banks’ team consists of expert analysts, many of whom have worked for utility and telecommunication companies prior to joining the company. If the audit shows that the MTA was overcharged, it will receive refunds from its utility providers.

“Troy & Banks is looking forward to working with the MTA,” notes Thomas Ranallo, President of Troy & Banks. “We are no stranger to working with large transportation authorities, having worked with AMTRAK, Kansas City Airport, the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA), and many others. We will be performing a comprehensive review of the MTA’s utility accounts and will be looking for any instance of overcharges, as well as possible future cost reductions, in an effort to return money to MTA’s budget” states Ranallo.

About Troy & Banks, Inc.: Since 1991, Troy & Banks, Inc. has saved its clients over $200 million in utility and telecommunications costs. Other recent clients include: Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, SUNY at Buffalo (UB), Buffalo Public Schools, M & T Bank, Amtrak, New York Stock Exchange, and the U.S. Postal Service. Headquartered in Buffalo, N.Y., Troy & Banks, Inc. serves clients nationwide with representatives in ten states. For more information, please call Thomas Ranallo at 1-800-499-8599 or visit www.troybanks.com.

About the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA): The Metropolitan Transit Authority, in New York City, is the largest public transportation system in the U.S., providing service to over 8.5 million passengers daily.  For more information, please visit www.mta.info.