This is a somewhat neglected blog. I have about 250 sites so I don't get all of them updated as often as they deserve.
Nothing with this bottom feeding firm ever seems to change, no matter how many complaints there are.
AUM continues to be a major scam and here is a slight update FYI. Take a look at these various sites, put in your own complaints and also file online with the BBB.
We see just how bad a firm is from www.yelp.com/biz/american-utility-management-los-angeles which has 73 complaints from the first review of 1/23/13 (San Diego, Ca) to 5/27/16 (Hollywood, Ca).
All reviewers gave only 1 star and many said they did not deserve even 1 star! Be sure and put in your complaints, on Yelp and on the BBB site.
Here are 2 of my sites about AUM:
aumsucks.blogspot.com,
stoneharborsucks.blogspot.com/,
Here are other AUM related sites FYI:
aumthieves.blogspot.com/,
www.apartmentratings.com/ga/atlanta/darlington-apartments_4043515474303091413/review-725295/,
justjdm.wordpress.com/2010/03/26/auburn-place-x-aum-inc-utility-ripoff/,
http://aumsucks.freeforums.net/
Read more: http://aumsucks.freeforums.net/thread/4/yelps-reviews-say-aum?page=1#ixzz3vwPH8GWG
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12/26/14
Misc FYI: Keep in mind that there is an under used message board all about AUM. You can read what others say and you can add your own comments to the site. Go to: http://aumsucks.freeforums.net/
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Just to refresh this site a bit here are 12 recent BBB complaints about this shoddy firm. Can you believe the BBB still rates them at A+! That is why I often call the BBB the 'Better Coverup Bureau'
BBB Reviews & Complaints
American Utility Management, Inc. 3/31/2017
Stacey B.
Stacey B.
Negative -1 1
Review
I wanted to share my experience with this company. It handles the water, sewer, and trash at my apartment complex. AUM-inc recently took over and have to say, the company seems greedy! If you pay your bill online, they charge a $7.99 "convenience fee". Really? $7.99? Ridiculous! Not only that, they offer automatic billing, where they take it out every month.. But they don't take it out when the bill is due, they only offer the 20th of the month. Non-negotiable. What about people that only get paid once a month and live paycheck to paycheck? Typical corporate greedy ******** sounds like to me
I wanted to share my experience with this company. It handles the water, sewer, and trash at my apartment complex. AUM-inc recently took over and have to say, the company seems greedy! If you pay your bill online, they charge a $7.99 "convenience fee". Really? $7.99? Ridiculous! Not only that, they offer automatic billing, where they take it out every month.. But they don't take it out when the bill is due, they only offer the 20th of the month. Non-negotiable. What about people that only get paid once a month and live paycheck to paycheck? Typical corporate greedy ******** sounds like to me
American Utility Management, Inc.
Joyce T.3/4/2017
Negative -1 1
Review
On 2/24/17, two on-line credit card payments of $55.16 were made. The bill is $47.17 plus an on-line convenience fee of $7.99, which comes to a total of $55.16. I called customer service and asked the customer service representative to return one of the payments. She couldn't return the payment. I asked if I could talk to a manager, who was Carolyn *****. She was condescending and uncooperative. She told me the total of the bill, which included a late fee of $7.50 if the bill is paid after 2/24/17. I asked her to look at the bill, which showed two totals, an amount due by 2/24/17, the due date of the bill, and the amount due after 2/24/17, the amount she told me. She refused to look at the bill. Another problem with AUM was the total of the bill that appeared on their website. The total included the late fee before the due date. Whenever I have talked to customer service up to the due date of the bill, they tell me the total with the late fee. In my experience with customer service, I didn't find them willing to help me or was given misleading information.
On 2/24/17, two on-line credit card payments of $55.16 were made. The bill is $47.17 plus an on-line convenience fee of $7.99, which comes to a total of $55.16. I called customer service and asked the customer service representative to return one of the payments. She couldn't return the payment. I asked if I could talk to a manager, who was Carolyn *****. She was condescending and uncooperative. She told me the total of the bill, which included a late fee of $7.50 if the bill is paid after 2/24/17. I asked her to look at the bill, which showed two totals, an amount due by 2/24/17, the due date of the bill, and the amount due after 2/24/17, the amount she told me. She refused to look at the bill. Another problem with AUM was the total of the bill that appeared on their website. The total included the late fee before the due date. Whenever I have talked to customer service up to the due date of the bill, they tell me the total with the late fee. In my experience with customer service, I didn't find them willing to help me or was given misleading information.
American Utility Management, Inc. 3/1/2017
Bob
Bob
Negative -1 1
Review
Recently moved to Michigan from Kansas. We were told by apartment complex that we would need to pay utility bills. City of Portage, Michigan is a local water provider for where we live. When we received bill from AUM in Oak Brook, IL, I thought it had to be a scam. When I asked The ***** Apartments and Townhomes a ******* ***** property, they told me that they use AUM for billing. The issue I have is that they sent a bill with no meter reading or usage amount. This is an extremely unprofessional business operating as a reseller. I do have a water meter in my Townhouse apartment. Will definitely move when my lease is up.
Recently moved to Michigan from Kansas. We were told by apartment complex that we would need to pay utility bills. City of Portage, Michigan is a local water provider for where we live. When we received bill from AUM in Oak Brook, IL, I thought it had to be a scam. When I asked The ***** Apartments and Townhomes a ******* ***** property, they told me that they use AUM for billing. The issue I have is that they sent a bill with no meter reading or usage amount. This is an extremely unprofessional business operating as a reseller. I do have a water meter in my Townhouse apartment. Will definitely move when my lease is up.
Lori Z.2/3/2017
Negative -1 1
Review
Scammers! They do not disclose the online fees, or the exorbitant late fees until you get one. Misleading as well on the phone when you are told you can pay online without disclosing the late fee. They say they post check the day they receive it. Now I plan on paying my bill the moment I get it and checking every few days to make sure it is received. I am not going to autopay with a company I have absolutely no faith in. Reported to BBB as a scam as well.
Scammers! They do not disclose the online fees, or the exorbitant late fees until you get one. Misleading as well on the phone when you are told you can pay online without disclosing the late fee. They say they post check the day they receive it. Now I plan on paying my bill the moment I get it and checking every few days to make sure it is received. I am not going to autopay with a company I have absolutely no faith in. Reported to BBB as a scam as well.
American Utility Management, Inc. 1/22/2017
Brandon G.
Brandon G.
Negative -1 1
Review
It amazes me that AUM has an A+ rating considering 33% of that score is based on customer reviews of which 96% are negative. To throw my hat in the ring it is unconscionable that this company is able to get away with the high fees they charge. For those of us that live in an apartment where the property management company uses AUM to collect utilities such as water, sewage and waste we have no choice but to use this company to pay these bills. AUM charges a "convenience" fee of $7.99 (about 10% of my average monthly bill) to pay your bill online, but nothing if you mail them a check. Who is that convenient for? Arguably the cost of an online transaction is a lot less than hiring someone to open an envelope, process a check and manually entering a payment. In this day and age of digital payments it is unconscionable for an organization to charge such a fee. Additionally if you happen to pay late you will be charged a $20 late fee (about 25% of my average monthly bill). These fees are excessive and are tantamount to price gouging considering we as consumers have no choice but to use their services. The BBB should reduce the rating of this company and work with them to produce a fee structure that is fair and honest.
It amazes me that AUM has an A+ rating considering 33% of that score is based on customer reviews of which 96% are negative. To throw my hat in the ring it is unconscionable that this company is able to get away with the high fees they charge. For those of us that live in an apartment where the property management company uses AUM to collect utilities such as water, sewage and waste we have no choice but to use this company to pay these bills. AUM charges a "convenience" fee of $7.99 (about 10% of my average monthly bill) to pay your bill online, but nothing if you mail them a check. Who is that convenient for? Arguably the cost of an online transaction is a lot less than hiring someone to open an envelope, process a check and manually entering a payment. In this day and age of digital payments it is unconscionable for an organization to charge such a fee. Additionally if you happen to pay late you will be charged a $20 late fee (about 25% of my average monthly bill). These fees are excessive and are tantamount to price gouging considering we as consumers have no choice but to use their services. The BBB should reduce the rating of this company and work with them to produce a fee structure that is fair and honest.
American Utility Management, Inc. 1/9/2017
Anthony S.
Anthony S.
Negative -1 1
Review
The company only offers an online payment method that has a $7.99 "convenience" fee attached to it. To avoid the fee you may send in a payment like in the 1990's. Make a check, put in an envelope, mail it out. They bank on the fact that most customers will leave the invoice to the last minute and or be too lazy to send in a check and end up paying online and paying the $7.99 fee. Should your $40.00 invoice be a day late, a $20 thats a 50% late penalty will be attached to your invoice. Bravo. Thank you for ****** *** for choosing such a great company to do business with.
The company only offers an online payment method that has a $7.99 "convenience" fee attached to it. To avoid the fee you may send in a payment like in the 1990's. Make a check, put in an envelope, mail it out. They bank on the fact that most customers will leave the invoice to the last minute and or be too lazy to send in a check and end up paying online and paying the $7.99 fee. Should your $40.00 invoice be a day late, a $20 thats a 50% late penalty will be attached to your invoice. Bravo. Thank you for ****** *** for choosing such a great company to do business with.
Comments
Comment from the BusinessThank you for your BBB review of AUM. In order to better assist with your specific question and/or concern, we encourage you to contact our Customer Service Department at 866-********, 8:00am-7:00pm CST Monday through Friday. If you wish to send written correspondence, please send to: AUM, PO Box ****, *** *****, IL *****. Or via email: ***************@*******.com. Thank You, AUM Customer Service.by Business on 1/9/2017
American Utility Management, Inc. 1/3/2017
Brianna D.
Brianna D.
Negative -1 1
Review
I live in an apartment complex that uses AUM, they only offer 2 ways to pay your bill.. online with a $7.99 convenience fee or through mail. The paperwork says allow 5-7 business days for the payment to reach them. Every other utility company I've ever used has the post marked date as a day of payment, even if it's the day the payment is due. However, AUM does not and doesn't tell you that other than allow 5-7 business days which is not very clear.. could mean a couple different things. The late fee is $8 so either have to pay your bills 2 weeks early to ensure it gets there by the due date or pay an online fee of the same amount. When I realized I was getting the late payment fee and described to the customer service agent that the disclaimer about the business days is confusing she did agree to take 1 late fee off our account. However it's still ridiculous that in 2017 they would be charging that much for an online fee when most places charge 4% for credit card transactions. Definitely don't think this business should have an A+ rating and hopefully our next place we live at won't use AUM...
I live in an apartment complex that uses AUM, they only offer 2 ways to pay your bill.. online with a $7.99 convenience fee or through mail. The paperwork says allow 5-7 business days for the payment to reach them. Every other utility company I've ever used has the post marked date as a day of payment, even if it's the day the payment is due. However, AUM does not and doesn't tell you that other than allow 5-7 business days which is not very clear.. could mean a couple different things. The late fee is $8 so either have to pay your bills 2 weeks early to ensure it gets there by the due date or pay an online fee of the same amount. When I realized I was getting the late payment fee and described to the customer service agent that the disclaimer about the business days is confusing she did agree to take 1 late fee off our account. However it's still ridiculous that in 2017 they would be charging that much for an online fee when most places charge 4% for credit card transactions. Definitely don't think this business should have an A+ rating and hopefully our next place we live at won't use AUM...
Comments
Comment from the BusinessThank you for your BBB review of AUM. In order to better assist with your specific question and/or concern, we encourage you to contact our Customer Service Department at 866-********, 8:00am-7:00pm CST Monday through Friday. If you wish to send written correspondence, please send to: AUM, PO Box ****, *** *****, IL *****. Or via email: ***************@*******.com. Thank You, AUM Customer Service.by Business on 1/9/2017
American Utility Management, Inc. 11/30/2016
Aaron
Aaron
Negative -1 1
Review
This company is the worst of the worst. There is absolutely no way that their charges are accurate for the utilities used each month. I'm fairly certain they make up bills at random and nobody can stop them from doing it. They need to be investigated and prosecuted for scamming their customers.
This company is the worst of the worst. There is absolutely no way that their charges are accurate for the utilities used each month. I'm fairly certain they make up bills at random and nobody can stop them from doing it. They need to be investigated and prosecuted for scamming their customers.
Comments
Comment from the BusinessThank you for your BBB review of AUM. In order to better assist with your specific question and/or concern, we encourage you to contact our Customer Service Department at 866-********, 8:00am-7:00pm CST Monday through Friday. If you wish to send written correspondence, please send to: AUM, PO Box ****, *** *****, IL *****. Or via email: ***************@*******.com. Thank You, AUM Customer Service.by Business on 1/9/2017
| Sep. 30, 2014 | AUM is nickel and dime all their customers, and the landlords and taking their cut in this. some of the tenants at the ******** apartments run their water 24/7 and the rest of the residents have to pay the bill. Since AUM my water bill has double if not tripled and the landlords have been told about the water waste and do not do anything about correcting the matter, why their cut in the AUM will be less. Where does one go to when it comes to conserving the natural resources when landlords as ******** and ***** apartments do not care.
This customer had a NEGATIVE experience with this business.
This customer WOULD NOT recommend the business to a friend, family member, neighbor or colleague.
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| Sep. 28, 2014 | My experience with them has been horrible. I would strongly recommend reconsidering moving into an apartment complex that uses AUM. They charged us 2.83 times our city's rate for water and 2.27 times our city's sewer rates. What should have been a 35 dollar bill for 17 days of water use was 97. Plus they charge a $7.50 "convenience fee" for paying online, and make you pay for postage if you pay by mail. When I called them to complain, the representative was condescending, and they refused to change our rates to something more reasonable.
This customer had a NEGATIVE experience with this business.
This customer WOULD NOT recommend the business to a friend, family member, neighbor or colleague.
Comments
Comment from the Business:Thank you for your BBB review of AUM. In order to better assist your question or concern, we encourage you to contact our Customer Service Department at 866-520-1245, 8:00am-7:00pm CST Monday through Friday). If you wish to send written correspondence, please send to: AUM P O Box 4957 Oak Brook IL 60522 Or via email: customerservice@aum-inc.com Thank You, AUM Customer Serviceby Business on 2014-10-06 13:49:51
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| Sep. 09, 2014 | Dear landlords - only choose this 'management company' if you hate your residents. Actually, only use AUM if you hate your residents *and* they are offering you a substantial kickback, because they will gouge the heck out of your residents and you deserve some of that. I really hope my landlords are getting paid for my pain. If you are a resident with the misfortune of a landlord that uses AUM, offer to bake them a cake and give the money directly. AUM charges a $5.54 fee for to mail you a letter saying you owe them money, I guess. None of my other bills do this, so I'm not sure what it covers. It will also charge another 'convience fee' exorbitant $7.50 if you want to pay by credit card. There is no easy option to pay by ACH/EFT, even though it's 2014 and literally everyone else does this. To set up direct charge, you have to mail in a letter with your info, and wait 45 days (ensuring you will encounter more bills and 'convience fees') before they will enter in the info. AUM is a company that takes advantage of residents through fees, end of story. Just because it's legal doesn't mean it's right, this is the literal definition of rent-seeking leeches on our economy.
This customer had a NEGATIVE experience with this business.
This customer WOULD NOT recommend the business to a friend, family member, neighbor or colleague.
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Keep in mind that there is a message board all about AUM. You can read what others say and you can add your own comments to the site. Go to: http://aumsucks.freeforums.net/
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The best summary I've come across to describe AUM is:
"This is not a business, it's a group of criminals. They don't even bother trying to hide it."
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Some Info from a blog reader:
Are you suspicious of the high bills and outrageous late fee’s? I began to research the AUM bills. I have uncovered that AUM is performing shady business practices such as payment date changes and over charging tenants with respect to the actual cost of Water & Sewer!
I am currently filling a CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT against AUM and need your support!
Please email me at aum@ferreirafilms.com to get a letter to sign and support this case!
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I have recently noted that YELP has no ratings other than the min. 1 star out of 5, on any of the reviews, everyone trashes this firm.
On the other hand the Chicago BBB keeps their rating at A+. AUM is a dues paying member of the Better Coverup Bureau. I have complained to them before on this unrealistic rating and supplied information on the actions (covered below) of the City of Panama City Beach and how they dealt with this morally corrupt and evil firm, but of course the BBB ignored my information on this governmenatl action.
The BBB now provides the texts and replies of consumers on their site, so if you go and look at Yelp and the BBB you will see exactly what you have to deal with.
I also note that AUM looks in frequently on my blog site, twice last week, (208.96.245.186 — American Utility Management Lombard, Il) so they know exactly what I say about them. ie: they are simply theives and they can sue me anytime they want for saying it, but be assured that if your complex uses AUM you are being totally screwed by them.
NOTE: Take a look at a message board about this firm, read what is there, add your comments or start another thread. http://aumsucks.freeforums.net/ and also via http://aumsucks.freeforums.net/board/1/general-board
Don't forget to go via direct link to: http://stoneharborsucks.blogspot.com/ and get more details on both AUM and Concord Management Ltd.
Just FYI here is what the BBB (http://www.bbb.org/) says about them: "130 complaints closed with BBB in last 3 years | 44 closed in last 12 months". AUM has been a member of the BBB since 2006. That means they pay the BBB 'dues' to be a member.
The BBB has an outstanding record of covering up for crappy firms as long as they pay the BBB dues.
So go ahead and put in a BBB complaint but don't expect anything to actually come of it. By the way, 128 of those complaints were about 'billing', that is to say people complained to the BBB about getting screwed by AUM and they still have their A+ BBB rating.
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7/21/14
What others think of AUM
The Site YELP has extensive reviews of AUM they are all negative, take a few minutes and read about them below or just go to the site and see them yourself.
Reviews at: www.yelp.com/biz/american-utility-management-los-angeles
Read more: http://aumsucks.freeforums.net/thread/4/yelps-reviews-say-aum?page=1&scrollTo=25#ixzz38ATlrh6J
HERE IS AN UPDATE FROM 2014 ON YELP COMMENTS
Thomas P. Escondido, CA 7/7/2014
There are not appropriate words for how much I am bothered by this company. They charge an exorbitant amount to pay online or over the phone ($7.50---more than any company I've ever gotten service from). Their customer service people are rude and unfriendly. If you want to go to an office to pay the bill, you can't. I mean---your entire purpose in existence is to help people pay their utility bills, why do you have to make it so burdensome and complicated and expensive? Their website is also pathetic and doesn't provide much detail at all.
I will tell you one thing they are efficient at---closing your account---even before I had a chance to pay the bill on the date that it's due.
I, for one, will not ever rent from another place that does business with these people in the future. There is a reason why NOBODY has anything good to say about them. Why they are still in business is beyond me.
Cathy B. 4/3/2014
Run far away from any apartment complex that is using their service.It's a total scam!!! 7.5 dollars to be able to pay online??!!
When I asked their customer service why they said it was the maintenance fee to be able to keep their website up... Really??? Why in hell should I have to pay for that?
Worst company ever.
Johnny E. San Luis Obispo, CA 6/14/2014
rip off. Charges $4 fee for precessing payment. Really thinking of moving to a new apartment because of this.. Not to mention my apartment complex never gave me a written notice about changes in my contract..
Patrice L. Los Angeles, CA 3/23/2014
terrible, absolutely terrible. Just like everyone saids here. ridiculous on the service fee.
what's the point we are using the internet here on the website that you can do shit.
Paying with credit card, it's $7.50 fee. who does that? To set up direct debit, requires to send paper form. it's just ridiculous. who has all this time figure going through all this shit just to pay your utility bill.
no company should do business with AUM. it is bunch of assholes.
Ross H. San Francisco, CA 2/13/2014
This company is a complete scam. In addition to a $7.50 "processing fee" on EVERY bill, they charge EVERY resident a postage fee for their bill as part of an "admin fee" - even if the statement is delivered online (which obviously requires no postage).
Think about it. A building with 440 units, where half of the residents receive statements online, is getting charged 220 units worth of postage (per month) for things that have never been mailed. Go ahead and ask them about it - they will dodge your question if you make it past the hold.
This is not a business, it's a group of criminals. They don't even bother trying to hide it. I'm extremely disappointed in my apartment's management for making this happen.
Pamela M. Chula Vista, CA 5/27/2014
American Utility Management (AUM) is an absolutely reprehensible company that consistently goes out of their way to charge tenants erroneous fees which include a late fee of $9.50 which is not dependent on when they receive payment BUT when they decide to "process" your payment. They offer online payment service which would be readily convenient for most people living in the 21st century but the charge of $7.50 to "process" your online payment makes it completely inconvenient.
What is the AUM Admin Charge?
The AUM Admin Charge is a fee charged for calculating, processing and managing the property's utility billing program.--Which is a ridiculous $3.25 at my apartment complex.
I no longer have to wonder about the ethics of companies that do business with this reprehensible company after reading the reviews on Yelp and around the web. I will never move into another building that using this company as their utility management service.
K K. Edmonds, WA 6/29/2014
I agree - The Cove in Tiburon, CA uses them and I have yet to get my water, sewer bill correct. Awful.
Jake S. Chicago, IL 6/19/2014
AUM is my least favorite company, there's something about it that just feels like an absolute scam. Charging 7.50 to pay your bill online is beyond insane, and having to send it actual paperwork for direct debit is even worse. I'm actually going to be moving out of my apartment building specifically due to AUM, and I will actively avoid living in any building that is affiliated with AUM.
Kim P Los Angeles 5/9/2014
This company is the absolute worst. I agree with what everyone else has said here. The fees are ridiculous, there's absolutely no customer service, and they are a complete scam. My building was sold and the new owners use AUM and I am so disappointed because AUM has really made a mess of things at our building.
Ben S. San Francisco, CA 5/13/2014
HORRIBLE!!! Worst company of today's world. They only let you pay by check or pay a $7.50 "convenience fee" to pay online.... are you flippin kidding me??? This company is a joke. DON'T rent from someone using them!!!! I will never do it again!!! You can't even pay by phone... and I would accept something like $2.00 but serious f**k them!!!! There customer service sucks, they over charge for online payment and worst of all if you like the apartment you don't have a choice but to use them. THEY NEED TO DISAPPEAR!!!
Carla V. Santa Cruz, CA 5/2/2014
Wow, you know I've lived all over the world and sometimes businesses like these that manage to slink around here in the good ole USofA without check really freak me out. How have they not been stopped yet??? So, so very shady and so obviously out to get your money. Be careful. Sometimes you can't get around dealing with them because often times you don't find out they exist until after you sign the lease (happened to two of my neighbors), so best thing is to just stay on top of everything, and SEND CHECKS.
Please do not give these people the satisfaction of taking your $7.50 "convenience" fee when you pay online. So disgusted, hope they are shut down soon- and they should be- they must be fairly new as they have no BBB ranking.
Filip B. San Diego, CA 5/2/2014
This company charges you a convenience fee of $7.50 every time you pay online, instead of sending them a check by mail. That is just absurd. We should be discounted by paying online instead.
Seriously, the less paperwork for a company the less cost, which means more profits. For every customer who pay online the company does not have to deal with the work of opening mails and to put the checks on their records. Therefore the convenience fee is just a scam. Further, I think they charge too much, and I don't get a record of how much usage I have had during a month, which means that they can easily charge you more than they should.
When I move, I will avoid living at any apartment complex that uses AUM.
Misha V. Phoenix, AZ 3/6/2014
Not that I am adding anything new, but these guys deserve all the negative attention they can get. The $30 dollar trash fee that is already ridiculous also has AUM Admin charge of $3.88 on top of it. And if you are paying with credit card, it's $7.50 fee. There is not a single bank that charges them that high, so they are making a nice profit on that too.
To set up direct debit, requires to send PAPER form (strangely, they don't ask for carrier pigeon) and they will take 30 to 45 days to get it going. For those reading this review, Internet has been a thing for a few years now, so that's just another level of asshole ripoff. The apartment complex I am in will get a matching review just for supporting this scam of a business.
Read more: http://aumsucks.freeforums.net/thread/4/yelps-reviews-say-aum?page=1&scrollTo=25#ixzz38AU2JkF1
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Here are a few more of the BBB complaints found online at their Chicago BBB site. I usually refer to the BBB as the 'Better Coverup Bureau' as any dues paying firm is allowed to do anything and still keep their A+ rating.
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by A. Schafer on Sep. 09, 2014
Sep. 09, 2014
Dear landlords - only choose this 'management company' if you hate your residents. Actually, only use AUM if you hate your residents *and* they are offering you a substantial kickback, because they will gouge the heck out of your residents and you deserve some of that.
I really hope my landlords are getting paid for my pain. If you are a resident with the misfortune of a landlord that uses AUM, offer to bake them a cake and give the money directly. AUM charges a $5.54 fee for to mail you a letter saying you owe them money, I guess. None of my other bills do this, so I'm not sure what it covers. It will also charge another 'convience fee' exorbitant $7.50 if you want to pay by credit card.
There is no easy option to pay by ACH/EFT, even though it's 2014 and literally everyone else does this. To set up direct charge, you have to mail in a letter with your info, and wait 45 days (ensuring you will encounter more bills and 'convience fees') before they will enter in the info. AUM is a company that takes advantage of residents through fees, end of story. Just because it's legal doesn't mean it's right, this is the literal definition of rent-seeking leeches on our economy.
This customer had a NEGATIVE experience with this business.
This customer WOULD NOT recommend the business to a friend, family member, neighbor or colleague.
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09/22/2014 Billing / Collection Issues | Read Complaint Details
Complaint: AUM does not send out their statements in a timely manner. The statement gets to you 1-5 days after you would have had to mail the bill back. This would be fine if online bill pay was an option, but it cost 7.50. They attempt to trap customers with unnecessary fees. I was assessed a late fee last month. I called and they removed it as a one time curtsy. I will be assessed another late fee this month because it is impossible to pay the bill within their timeline.
Working backwards, the bill is due on the 1st, it takes 5-7 business days to process. The 1st is a holiday, they would have to receive my payment no later than August 21, four days for mailing I would need to send on August 16 because there is no mail on Sundays. I did not receive the bill from them until the 19th. This is a business practice meant to trap customers, the statements aren't generated until the 11th of each month and in phone calls with the company they acknowledge that they don't send them out on time. My account number is XXXXXXXXXX.
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07/16/2014 Billing / Collection Issues | Read Complaint Details
Complaint Category: Improper collection practices
Complaint: AUM charged me a late fee of $9.00 even though I received the first billing letter after my initial payment was due, thus they didn't allow me to pay on time. I never received a bill for the first payment cycle.
To avoid a second late fee, the only way to pay "on time" was to pay online using a credit or debit card, which is fantastic, but they charge an unreasonable fee of $7.50. No one in the industry or other industries charges a convenience fee of more than $2.00. This is completely unreasonable. If anything, there should be a discount for paying online as it reduces manual work for them plus any paperwork.
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04/18/2014 Billing / Collection Issues | Read Complaint Details
Complaint Category: - Credit, Billing or Collection Complaint Issue
Complaint: Company charges $5 a month to sent a bill that is always wrong. When I asked my apartment complex manager about this charge and how to remove it, I was told I needed to contact AUM directly as they had nothing to do with this. I called AUM and the associate was very unhelpful.
I requested to stop receiving these bills and to cancel and they refused, telling me breaking my lease and moving was the only way to stop this charge. My apartment complex uses separate billing online that I use and do not need or require this bill to be sent or generated by this company.
Further, I have checked my lease and have been unable to find any agreement to this fee by this third party company as they claimed. They seem to be passing the issue off on others instead of doing the right thing and canceling my account or at least stop sending me these pointless incorrect bills that just get thrown away because they are wrong half the time. This company practices some very shady business and needs their BBB Accredited title remove immediately. Shame on this company.
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Initial Consumer Rebuttal
(The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.)
This did not address the issue at all. Seems to be a standard pre-written response that you just sent to everyone. Your bills are often for the incorrect amount, resulting in me having to pay my apartment complex twice every month. Main issue is you are charging $5 a month to provide incorrect information. If you must charge me at least provide correct and accurate bills. If you can not do this I should not be required to pay.
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03/18/2014 Billing / Collection Issues | Read Complaint Details
Complaint Category: Failure to substantiate charges
Complaint: On 1/24/2014 I received my water/sewer bill from AUM. After opening the bill on 1/26/14, I realized the bill was double the amount than normal. I have lived in this same apartment for 3 years and my water/sewer bill has never been greater than $50.
However, I realized the increase is due to a $56 charge for "Sewer." This amount is almost 3x as much as the charge for our water, which was only $16. After speaking to The Racquet Club, they indicated they had not been aware of an increase in rate/charge and AUM must notify them of an increase, which they had not done.
After speaking with AUM, we were simply told it is the correct amount after installing new meters and a new system. However, none of this was notified to us that our bills would be more than double what we average paying per month. They also failed to substantiate how a flat fee for sewer could be three times the amount for water. It is improper practice to not only charge three times the amount for a sewer fee as you do water, as well as fail to notify consumers and the property of the increase.
Acct number : XXXXXXXXXX
Spoke with a ******** on the phone who failed to escalate my concerns to a manager and verify the reason for the drastic increase in price for a sewer fee.
