Consumer Resources

• Toll Free hotline - 1-877-PICKOCC
• Website - pickocc.org
• Educational publications
• Outreach and education

If you’re like many consumers, you pay your monthly utility bills without a second thought. However, utility bills and other complex utility issues can cause confusion or concern – and sometimes assistance is needed to answer your questions or provide information.

In the rapidly changing utility industry, consumers face a multitude of choices. The Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC) provides residential consumers with timely assistance and the most current information available. To assist consumers, the OCC offers several different resources, including:

• 1-877-PICKOCC (1-877-742-5622), a toll-free hotline, for utility information.
• www.pickocc.org, an interactive and user-friendly website.
• Free educational publications.
• Speakers’ bureau.

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1-877-PICKOCC

The OCC provides a toll-free hotline to respond to consumer questions and requests for utility-related information. Customer service representatives offering assistance in both English and Spanish can be reached toll free at 1-877-PICKOCC (1-877-742-5622) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Who we help

Any Ohio residential consumer who is served by an investor-owned utility or a certified provider who requests information about electric, natural gas, telephone or water service.

How we help

• Answer questions about electric, natural gas, telephone and water issues.
• Provide educational publications on topics from understanding utility bills and financial assistance programs to using energy more efficiently in the home.
• Inform residential consumers about their rights.
• Schedule a speaker for a group or organization.

After hours

Consumers can access utility information 24 hours a day, seven days a week through the OCC’s automated voice response system, which allows consumers to, among many other options, request free consumer assistance publications about specific utility issues, leave a message with your utility questions or schedule a speech. Consumers who have questions or concerns about municipally owned utilities or rural cooperatives or non-utility related issues should view the resources section for further assistance.

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Website

The OCC website puts utility information at consumers’ fingertips. It is a colorful, interactive, and easy way to access many of the OCC’s resources. By visiting www.pickocc.org consumers can:

• Access on-line natural gas calculators and local telephone service comparison charts that assist consumers with adding up their potential savings when choosing an alternative provider.
• Learn about the electric, natural gas, telephone and water industries and the emerging utility issues that affect consumers.
• Find out how to avoid the latest scams and read other consumer protection information.
• Ask utility related questions.
• View and print all of the OCC’s free educational materials.
• Sign up to receive a free bi-monthly newsletter and consumer alerts.
• Review current and archived news releases.
• Read more about the OCC and the services it provides.

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Educational Publications

Fact Sheets and Brochures

The OCC has developed over 70 different publications and a bi-monthly newsletter to educate consumers about current utility issues as well as assist them with making informed decisions about their utilities. Some publications, including the newsletter, are available in Spanish. Publications in other languages also may be available.

Topics include:

• Utility payment assistance information.

• “How to” guides for understanding utility bills.

• Information on comparing and choosing natural gas and local telephone providers.

• Household tips on water and energy efficiency.

• Tips for protecting yourself against common scams.

• Resources for handling unwanted telemarketing calls.

Consumers’ Corner Newsletter

This bi-monthly publication focuses on residential consumer utility issues. Each edition features current utility topics and industry developments and a question and answer column.

These publications and many more are available free of charge through the toll-free hotline and the website.

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Outreach and Education

The OCC provides knowledgeable outreach and education professionals who travel throughout the state offering presentations on current utility issues. Consumers can learn how to better understand their utility bills, save money by reducing their energy usage, how to choose a natural gas supplier and participate in energy aggregation programs. The OCC can tailor a utility program to best meet the needs of the organization. This service is provided at no cost to groups and organizations and a speaker can be scheduled by calling toll free 1-877-PICKOCC (1-877-742-5622) and selecting option 4.

Additional outreach and education services available to community groups include:

Train the Trainer

The OCC can train the staff of an agency or organization on specific utility topics. These sessions provide extensive information about utility issues such as the services provided by the OCC, assistance programs, electric or natural gas choice and energy efficiency. These programs are designed to train staff members so that they can provide the information directly to their clients. The OCC’s Stay Connected train the trainer program provides information to assist consumers in keeping their utilities connected through the Percentage of Income Payment Plan, Home Energy Assistance Program and Lifeline.

Brown Bag Discussions

The brown bag discussions are designed for companies or agencies that schedule information sessions during the workday for their employees. Topics that may be of interest include aggregation, natural gas choice and comparing cellular service to traditional home telephone service. Programs can be scheduled during the lunch hour or anytime that is convenient to the employees.

Order Publications

The OCC’s fact sheets and the Consumer Assistance Handbook are available in bulk to groups or organizations to distribute. You may view the fact sheets on the OCC’s website here or call the hotline toll free at 1-877-PICKOCC (1-877-742-5622) to request a list. Some materials are available in Spanish. If materials are needed in other languages, please contact us.

Shows and Fairs

The OCC participates in fairs and shows throughout the year. These events enable the OCC to talk with individual consumers and distribute fact sheets and other informational materials. The OCC can provide materials to agencies and organizations hosting an event as well.

Newsletter Articles

The OCC provides utility-related articles for use in newsletters produced by companies or organizations. Choose from a series of current articles or have one tailored to meet the needs of a specific group. Consumers also can receive the OCC’s consumer alerts news releases and Consumers’ Corner newsletter by signing up for the OCC e-mail alerts at www.pickocc.org or calling the toll-free hotline.