Salem, VA's utility services handle billing for things like electric, water, sewer, and trash (totes or dumpsters). They send out over 14,000 bills each month and offer an easy online system where you can view your bill, check your usage history, and make payments. You might get billed by them if you use any city utility services or trash pickup. They also have helpful programs like budget billing and automatic payment options to make managing your bills simpler.
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The cancellation process for utilities in Salem, VA requires contacting the Utility Collections office by phone or email, which is straightforward but requires a direct communication step. The availability of in-person or email options and clear business hours contributes to a relatively low difficulty level.
Estimated Time
On average, it takes
15 minutes
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minutes to cancel a utilities subscription.
How to Cancel utilities: Step by Step
If you purchased through Bank Draft:
- Read the cancellation policy provided on the [Bank Draft Cancellation PDF](https://salemva.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2652/Bank-Draft-Cancellation-PDF).
- Complete the cancellation form included in that document.
- Return the completed form to the Utility Billing Department.
- Ensure your cancellation request is submitted at least five (5) business days prior to the due date to guarantee cancellation of the next payment.
Tips & Tricks for Canceling utilities
- Use the moving excuse: Claim you are moving to a location where the utility provider does not service. This often leads to instant cancellation without hassle.
- Be firm and direct: When asked if you are sure, respond firmly with "NO I WANT TO CANCEL" to avoid upsell attempts or retention offers.
- Avoid giving extra information: Do not engage in haggling or providing reasons that may prompt agents to offer discounts or delay cancellation.
- Timing matters: Calls can be quick (around 5 minutes) if you use a strong excuse like moving out of state or to a non-serviced area.
- Escalate if needed: If cancellation is difficult over the phone or online, ask to speak to a supervisor or use certified letter/email demanding cancellation.
- Cancel at the right moment: Avoid cancellation delays by initiating requests well before your billing cycle to prevent automatic renewals.
- Use different contact details for promotions: If planning to resubscribe to get new customer deals, use a different phone number or email not linked to the previous account.
- Keep records and evidence: Log your cancellation requests, retain confirmation emails, and monitor your bank statements for unauthorized charges.
- Credit card tricks: Some users bypass cancellations by changing or canceling the credit card used for payment to automatically stop charges.
- Final bill payment: Pay your final bill promptly to avoid collections or blacklists that could affect your credit or future service setup.
utilities Customer Service Info
If you need assistance, here's how you can get in touch with utilities's support team.
Cancel utilities Script
Script
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Dear Utilities Team,
I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to officially request the cancellation of my utilities subscription, effective immediately. Due to recent changes in my financial situation, I find it necessary to discontinue my subscription at this time.
I appreciate the service provided and hope to rejoin in the future if my circumstances change. Please confirm the cancellation and advise if there are any further steps I need to take. Thank you for your assistance.
Best regards,
Frequently Asked Questions
The utility bill cancellation policy at salemva.gov requires customers to submit a completed Bank Draft Cancellation form to the Utility Billing Department. Cancellation requests must be made at least five business days before the due date to guarantee payment cancellation. For questions or changes, customers can contact the Utility Billing Department at 540-375-3026, option 2.
To cancel your utility subscription on salemva.gov, you do need your account password as access to your online utility account requires logging in. If you have forgotten your password, you can reset it using this link: https://www.salemva.gov/ResetPassword.aspx. If you have trouble accessing your account, you can also call their support at 540-375-9700 for assistance. This ensures your account security during cancellation or changes to your utility service.
- Non-payment or late payment leading to service disconnection.
- Moving to a new location where service is no longer needed.
- Dissatisfaction with service or billing issues.
- Financial difficulties causing inability to pay bills.
- Switching to a different service provider for better rates or service.
- Decreasing usage and no longer needing the service.
- Temporary relocation causing the need to suspend or cancel utilities.
- Billing errors or disputes prompting cancellation and refund requests.
When dealing with Salem, VA utilities, be aware that cancelling a bank draft for automatic utility payments requires submitting a cancellation form at least five business days before the payment due date to avoid charges. There are no explicit long-term contracts or lock-in periods, but failure to pay bills promptly can lead to service disconnection, and restoring service after disconnection involves paying the full balance plus fees. Additionally, there are standard fees like a $40 NSF fee, a $5 penalty for late payments, and a $25 reconnection fee if services are disconnected for non-payment, which can be a financial pain point to keep in mind.
Before cancelling a utility service with Salem VA, be aware that you will lose access to all associated utilities immediately after disconnection. It's important to contact Utility Collections directly at 540-375-3021 or visit City Hall to request service disconnection. Ensure that all bills are paid in full, as unpaid balances could lead to penalties or continued charges. Also, keep in mind that reconnecting services later might require setting up a new account and possibly paying a reactivation fee.
- Account holder full name
- Service address (and apartment/unit number, if applicable)
- Utility account number
- Date to disconnect service
- Contact phone number(s)
- Email address
- Mailing address (if different from service address)
- Previous address (especially if moving from another Salem address)
- Signature and date
- Copy of Driver’s License (identification)
- Property owner contact info (if leasing)
- Emergency contact name and phone
- Authorization to discuss account: Name, relation, and phone (if allowing someone else to discuss your account)
- Bank account details (if canceling a bank draft as payment option)
We've actually written a step by step guide on how to get a refund from utilities. Check it out!
The Easiest Way to Cancel utilities
If you’re frustrated trying to cancel your subscription, membership, or bill from utilities—or if you didn’t even realize you were being charged—Chargeback can help. Chargeback is a personal subscription manager that automatically detects hidden, recurring charges like Netflix, Hulu, and hundreds of others. With one click, we can cancel unwanted subscriptions, flag suspicious billing, and even initiate refund requests on your behalf. No more waiting on hold or navigating confusing help pages. Just connect your bank or email account, and we’ll take care of the rest.
Start reclaiming your money today with Chargeback
What Are Some Alternatives to utilities?
Base fee, Energy usage, Power Cost Adjustment, Water usage, Toter Fee, Connection Fee, NSF Fee, Occupancy Fee, Penalty, Reconnection Fee, Security Deposit
Editorial Note: These articles reflect the opinions of Chargeback's writers. Everyone's situation is unique; therefore, it is important to conduct your own research and note that our self-help tools are not guaranteed to help with any specific problem.
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