FairPoint customers eligible for bill credits for time without service

    AUGUSTA — In light of recent increases in service interruptions, the Maine Office of the Public Advocate is alerting customers of FairPoint Communications that they are eligible for bill credits for their time without telephone service.

    Recent weather issues have left many residential and business customers of FairPoint Communications without telephone service. If a customer’s home or business has lost service in these outages, they are entitled to a credit on their next statement. However, this credit is not automatic. Customers must contact Fairpoint’s Business Office at (866) 984-2001 with their account information, the date the outage began, and the date of restoration.
    The Office of the Public Advocate recommends that customers call FairPoint at (866) 984-1611 as soon as possible to report any outage. Reporting the outage is the best way to make sure that the company is aware of the problem and can begin working on repairing it. If a customer does not contact the company, FairPoint may not know those customers are without service. This will also “start the clock” for purposes of any bill credit.
    FairPoint customers who have notified the company but continue to experiencing prolonged outages or other issues should contact the Public Utilities Commission’s consumer assistance hotline at 1 (800) 452-4699 and the Office of the Public Advocate at 287-2445. For more information, visit http://maine.gov/meopa.