Call us during business hours 7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday (507-373-6421 or toll free at 800-734-6421).  We need your new address, phone numbers (home, work & cell), date of move, social security number and date of birth. We can then check your credit, tell you if a deposit is needed and answer any of your questions or concerns.

DEPOSIT INFORMATION

Freeborn-Mower Cooperative Services complies with the Federal Trade Commission Identity Theft “Red Flag” Rules. New member applicants are verified with an authorized provider to be sure they match social security or other approved identification options.  They are also checked for credit risk to determine if a deposit will be required.  The deposit policy is designed to assess the credit risk for new service applicants, while protecting the assets of the utility for all members.  The Cooperative will use the ONLINE Utility Exchange service for the purpose of determining a deposit amount.  The service flags the member as Green Light-no risk, Yellow Light-minimal risk or Red Light-substantial risk, as detailed below. 

·         GREEN LIGHT -  New applicants who pose no credit risk will not be required to pay a deposit before electric service is connected. If the applicant is married, both spouses must return a Green Light on the ONLINE Utility Exchange. If multiple, unrelated parties rent a service location, all must return a Green Light for the deposit to be waived. Otherwise, a deposit will be assessed that is associated with the highest credit risk.

·         YELLOW LIGHT -  New service applicants who pose a minimal risk, as indicated by a Yellow Light on the ONLINE Utility Exchange, will be charged a deposit equal to one times the average residential monthly electric bill - $150.00 (reviewed annually to reflect current rates).

·         RED LIGHT -  New service applicants posing substantial credit risk, as indicated by a Red Light on the ONLINE Utility Exchange, will be charged a deposit equal to two times the average residential monthly electric bill - $300.00 (reviewed annually to reflect current rates).

 DEPOSITS REQUIRED OF EXISTING FMCS MEMBERS:

An existing FMCS member who has been disconnected for nonpayment will be charged a deposit equal to two times the average residential monthly electric bill - $300.00 (reviewed annually to reflect current rates) before being reconnected. The deposit will be in addition to the other disconnect / reconnect fees associated with a disconnect for nonpayment.

DEPOSITS REQUIRED OF FORMER MEMBERS:

A prior FMCS member who has had service terminated and left an unpaid utility bill (or shows an unpaid utility bill from another utility as returned on ONLINE Utility Exchange) shall be assessed the maximum deposit - $300.00.

Other Important Points:

A connect order will be issued only after the deposit has been paid.  In the case of a re-connect after disconnect for non-payment, all past due bills and related collections charges must be paid in addition to the deposit before the connect order will be issued.

Members who later establish good credit by paying their monthly bill by the due date for twelve consecutive months will have the deposit returned and applied as a credit to the account. However, for accounts that continue to demonstrate a credit risk, FMCS will retain the deposit until service is terminated. When the service is terminated, the non-refunded deposit plus interest will be credited against the account’s unpaid balance. Simple interest on deposits will be accrued annually and calculated at a rate prescribed by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission.