JACKSON, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Consumers Energy customers who are signed up for auto pay received an email this month warning them that starting on October 1, they can no longer use their credit cards and debit cards for automatic monthly payments.

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Instead, the Jackson-based utility said customers who use auto payments must provide banking information to withdraw payments automatically from savings accounts or checking accounts. If customers still want to use a debit or credit card, they will be charged a $2.99 payment fee.

The company added this alert to its website which said, “From the grocery store to online checkout, costs are rising. The same is true for card processing fees. To do our part and keep energy costs fair, we are introducing a card payment transaction fee on Oct. 1, 2023. To comply with credit card company policies after this change, we will no longer be able to accept credit or debit card payments through auto-pay. Please update your payment method to a checking or savings account soon. Thank you for your understanding.”

According to Consumers Energy, 330,000 customers currently use auto pay with a credit card or debit card.