Community Corner

Propane Company to Refund Howard Customers

After Jessup woman reported questionable charge, county found she wasn't the only one.


Nearly 40 Howard County residents were charged alleged hidden fees for propane services between 2010 and 2011, and as a result, the county has taken action to get them refunds, according to a press release Monday.

United Propane, the fuel company based out of Millersville, has entered into a settlement agreement with Howard County in which it has committed to repay nearly $2,800 to residents. The company will also put in writing all of its fees for Howard County clients, according to the release.

Howard County's Office of Consumer Affairs investigated the billing practices of United Propane after a Jessup woman reported the energy company tacked a service fee onto the amount she had agreed to pay for fuel.

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When customers chose to end their business with United Propane, the company charged between $12.59 and $250 for what it called a "termination fee" that wasn't disclosed to clients before the transaction, Howard County officials discovered.

The Office of Consumer Affairs identified 39 residents—half of whom were in the Elkridge, Jessup and Laurel area—who had been charged this fee between 2010 and 2011, according to Rebecca Bowman, who heads up the office.

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“Failure to provide information about add-on fees makes it impossible for consumers to compare prices among merchants and make smart purchasing decisions," said Bowman. "In addition to harming consumers, undisclosed add-on fees also create an unlevel playing field for competitor merchants.”

United Propane said that it will pay $2,783.01 in restitution for the "termination fee" that customers in Howard County paid during 2010 and 2011, stated the report. The company reportedly said that it stopped charging the fee in 2012 and "denies any violation of the law," according to the release.

Per the terms of its settlement with the county, United Propane has agreed to disclose in writing the price of all goods and services to Howard County customers.

If you paid this fee in 2010 or 2011 and do not receive a refund from United Propane by April 30, contact the Office of Consumer Affairs at 410-313-6420 or consumer@howardcountymd.gov.


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