Internet Channel Can Help Utilities Ease the Sting of Delinquent Payments - Across the United States, personal financial stability is decreasing as the "perfect storm" of record-high energy, food and healthcare costs collide with spillover from the deepening mortgage crisis to push millions of families into financial trouble.

No of defaulters have icreased remarkebly in recent times because the energy costs are going up day by day and the family incomes are under squeeze due to various reasons including mortgages.

Even those who were regular payers are often defaulters.

One solution is to provide the option of paying in installments . Also the defailters could be messaged using various media channels currently available .

A discount mechanism is also effective but it must be extended to all consumers.

Utility could also set  up camps like we do it here in India asking consumers to come for a settlement of the dues when  part of interest charges are waived some times. This however could be only one time affair.

The success of any business depends on getting the money back Raising the security deposits from defaulters is also  attempted to continue supplying the energy. Advice on energy conservation is also a good option