North Georgia EMC customers complain their bills are getting rounded up for charity, without their express permission.
Participation in Operation Round Up has soared from 3 percent to 76 percent, now that the cooperative has made it automatic for some 98 thousand customers. The change took effect earlier this year.
Customers can opt out with a phone call or through the website and their donation will be refunded. About 24 percent have chosen to do so since March.
According to a North Georgia EMC spokeswoman, the most anyone can donate is $11.88 a year. The money goes to charities in the seven counties in the cooperative's coverage area.
As WSB reported, Cobb EMC customers found themselves in a similar situation this spring. The utilities say they circulated word in monthly bills and newsletters.