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Athens Utilities Customer Accounts
NOTICE: Update regarding issues with payments
- Our bank, BBVA Compass, became PNC. Initially, the lockbox for mailed payments was at BBVA Compass in Birmingham. PNC’s lockbox is located in Atlanta. PNC has continued accepting mailed payments at the Birmingham branch, and then sent them to Atlanta, which added an extra step for processing payments. Athens Utilities is working with PNC to get payments mailed directly to the lockbox in Atlanta.
- PNC is reaching out to other banks to work out an agreement for electronic check payment. Currently, if a customer opts to pay a bill through his or her bank’s online payment process, that bank is mailing a check to PNC. Electronic checks will process more quickly, so PNC is working on this issue.
- If a customer has an issue with a late payment, please contact Customer Accounts. The best way is by email at customeraccounts@athens-utilities.com. Please include name, address and account number on the email.
Office responsibilities are:
- Signing up new customers
- Preparing and sending utility bills
- Making changes to utility accounts
- Reading meters
- Disconnecting customers
- Taking utility payments
- Processing utility payments
- Athens Utilities Customer Accounts office is located at 508 South Jefferson Street in Athens.
Information on utility bills and payment options
Customers may get more than one bill. Some get it by mail and email, and reminders may go out before payment is received.
With bank draft, the bill amount comes out of the customer’s account the day before the bill is due. There is no fee for this service. Athens Utilities does not have bank account access. Bank draft only authorizes payment of the monthly utility bill.
Some months may have 28 billing days, while some may have up to 32 billing days. This is based on when meter readers read the meter. However, because of holidays, and recently due to COVID impacting employees, a billing cycle may be up to 36 days. The number of billing days is reflected on the bill. The bills with more billing days will be higher.
There are various options for payment in addition to mailing the bill. Those include:
Pay online. The vendor that provides this service does charge a $3.95 fee. That fee goes to the vendor. Athens Utilities does not receive this fee. Customer will need account information. This method can be set up for reoccurring payments, or used as a one-time payment. Link to pay online
Bank draft does not have a fee. Funds are withdrawn the day before the bill is due. Link to form
Pay by phone by calling 1-855-760-0921. Customer will need account information. The vendor that provides this service does charge a $4.70 fee. That fee goes to the vendor. Athens Utilities does not receive this fee.
Pay in person at Customer Accounts at 508 S. Jefferson Street. Office hours are Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Customer will need current bill to pay in person.
There is an outside kiosk for after-hours payment. Those who are unsure of how to use the kiosk can go to Customer Accounts during office hours and ask for a demonstration. Customer will need account and current billing information to use the kiosk.
Pay at Citizens Bank in Elkmont and First National Bank in Ardmore. Customer will need to have current bill. Payments must be cash or check.
Avoid falling victim to scammers calling about a utility bill
Athens Utilities periodically receives calls from customers reporting someone is calling them pretending to be Athens Utilities and asking for their credit card information to pay their utility bill.
If you receive a call, do not provide your personal information. If you ever receive a call regarding your utility bill, you can hang up and call Athens Utilities directly at 256-233-8750.
If you give your personal information during one of these calls, please contact Athens Utilities at the above number and Athens Police at 256-233-8700.