Xcel Energy Printing Error Releases Personal Info

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Xcel Energy Inc. says account information from thousands of customers in Minnesota and South Dakota was inadvertently shared on other customers' bills.

The Minneapolis-based utility said Tuesday a printing error placed customers' names, addresses, account and meter numbers on bills that were sent to others.

Xcel Energy says the error does not include billing or payment history, or personal financial information such as credit card numbers and bank accounts.

The error appeared on bills dated Nov. 12. About 16,000 Xcel Energy customers in Minnesota and South Dakota are affected.

Xcel Energy apologized and said it's contacting each affected customer. The company says the error was made by its bill printing vendor.

Xcel Energy has about 1.4 million customers in Minnesota and South Dakota.