Ohio Edison Imposes New 50-Cent Fee for Non-AutoPay Customers

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WFMJ) — Starting in January, Ohio Edison customers who do not use automatic payment options will face a new 50-cent fee per transaction. The fee applies to one-time payments made through checking or savings accounts, marking a significant change for customers who previously avoided such charges.

FirstEnergy, the parent company of Ohio Edison, implemented the fee after switching to a new third-party payment processor, ACI Speedpay, a subsidiary of Western Union. The company stated that the fee helps cover transaction costs and ensures compliance with payment processing regulations.

“By processing electronic payments through a third-party vendor, we can more seamlessly maintain compliance and better serve our customers by continuing to offer additional payment options,” said Hannah Catlett, a FirstEnergy spokesperson, in a statement to 21 News.

Residential and commercial customers enrolled in automatic payment programs, such as AutoPay Credit Card or AutoPay Bank Account, will not be affected by the new fee. Ohio Edison has also expanded payment options to include services like PayPal and Venmo, aiming to provide more flexibility for its over one million customers in northeast and northcentral Ohio.

Customers with questions or concerns about the new fee can contact Ohio Edison’s customer service line at 1-800-633-4766 or reach out via email through the company’s website.