N.Y. Public Service Law § 118: Payment to an authorized payment agency

§ 118. Payment to an authorized payment agency. 1. In any case where a

public utility company or municipality rendering equivalent utility

services permits its customers to pay their bills to a payment agency

authorized by the corporation or the municipality for collection of

bills, the date of payment to such authorized payment agency shall be

the effective date of payment of such bill, and the payment shall be

regarded as if it were paid directly to the corporation or municipality

on such date. Where a customer of such corporation or municipality has

paid a bill to an authorized payment agency on or before a designated

due date, no penalty or extra charge shall accrue on such bill for the

reason that the payment did not reach the corporation or municipality on

or before the designated due date. Notwithstanding the provision of this

section, payments to authorized payment agencies by residential

customers shall be governed by article two of this chapter.

2. Backbilling. Except as provided for residential utility service

pursuant to article two of this chapter, no public utility company or

municipality may render a bill for previously unbilled service, or

adjust upward a bill previously rendered, to a residential customer

after the expiration of twenty-four months from the time service to

which the bill or adjustment pertains was provided. This provision shall

not apply when the culpable conduct of a customer caused or contributed

to the failure of the company or municipality to have rendered timely or

accurate billing.

3. Credit or refund of overpayments. (a) The commission shall have the

power to require a public utility company or municipality to provide a

refund or credit to a customer when a payment has been made in excess of

the correct charge for actural service rendered to the customer.

(b) If a residential customer becomes eligible for a lower rate

because he or she changes the character of the service received and if

excess payment resulted from the failure of the customer to notify the

utility or municipality providing service of a change in the character

of service received or from the failure of the utility or municipality

to change the rate after such notification by the customer, such a

customer will be entitled to such lower rate from the date the change

occurs but such a customer shall not be entitled to such lower rate for

more than twenty-four months prior to the giving of actual notice to the

utility or municipality providing service.