Utility companies use credit scores to determine rates

I picked this off of www.clarkhoward.com Holy Smokes!

Credit scores are used for so many things these days, including whether to hire someone for a job or offer auto or homeowner’s insurance. The newest use is in determining how much you will pay for your electricity. Your credit score will determine how much you’ll pay per kilowatt hour for electricity, according to the Dallas Morning News. TXU Energy is apparently setting customers’ rates on a version of their credit score. What’s going to be next? There is no logic or common sense in using someone’s credit score for these purposes. One of the risks involved with any utility is that some people won’t pay their bills. For that reason, companies often charge a deposit to activate service or will withhold service until a bill is paid. Clark understands that. It makes sense. But using a credit score to punish or reward people is not the way to do business.