Maritime Fuels files for bankruptcy; Service N.S. issues advice for customers

The province is warning customers to cancel their payments to a home heating fuel company that has gone out of business. 

Maritime Fuels filed for bankruptcy this week, according to PwC Canada, which was appointed as licensed insolvency trustee on Thursday. 

Service Nova Scotia is advising customers to contact their financial institution or credit card company to stop any pre-scheduled payments. Nova Scotians with payment plans are also being asked to contact PwC if they have paid for fuel they have not received. 

"This ensures that they will hear from the trustee as arrangements are made to pay off the company's debts," said the statement from Service Nova Scotia. 

The province said they do not know how many customers were on a pre-payment plan.

Customers shocked

"The first thing I did was shut my heat off," said Lisa Hopkins, who switched to Maritime Fuels about 18 months ago because it was a cheaper way to heat her home in Truro, N.S.

She learned through social media the company had filed for bankruptcy.

"When I call them, it hangs up and I have not received any contact from them," she said. 

Hopkins was able to cancel her November payment through her bank. She is contacting the trustee because she believes she is owed at least $1,500. 

"That was my money to keep my family warm," said Hopkins. 

Hopkins said she signed up for a monthly payment plan in order to receive a discount. The plan spread the cost of oil throughout the year.

"By not distributing the funds back to the customers, it feels like they're stealing from me,"she said.

Amid the financial strain, Hopkins is planning to purchase furnace oil at a gas station to keep her tank topped up. 

"I'm going to have to get a little bit every payday and just keep it topped up because I can't get a delivery," she said. "I can't afford that right now."

Requests for comment from Maritime Fuels were not immediately answered.