In checking my monthly bills, I’ve noticed several billing mistakes in the past few months. I do get the bills corrected but it’s frustrating. Are some companies dishonest or are their employees simply incompetent? – David Dissect
Dear Mr. Scrutinize: While researching these overcharges, I’ve found, unfortunately, overbilling is far more commonplace than most of us realize. (Actually I’m glad you’ve written about this issue, as my poor husband believes I’m the only consumer alive whom companies red-flag.)
As I’ve always urged, the more we dissect every single bill that comes along, the more likely we are to catch mistakes – fraudulent or otherwise – that saves us tons of money over the long run. According to ConsumerWorld.org and a few other consumer advocacy groups, overcharges seem to center on six particular business types. With heaps of information about each kind and the best methods to fix these errors, heads up, eyeballs wide open to see if you’ve fallen in any of these categories (or, worse, more than once). In no order of importance …
-Utility companies: Speaking of red flags, those folks and I are on a first name basis! First off, estimated usage is based on last year’s usage patterns (unfair, in my opinion). What if last year’s bills were in error? POW! Double whammy to the wallet! Even if a meter reading isn’t accessible (and sometimes a meter is even read incorrectly to boot), you can take some protective steps, assuming you don’t want to go on budget billing. 1) Grab your camera and take a photo of the meter; schedule an appointment with the applicable technician. 2) When “Teddy Tech” arrives, you both check the reading, write down the number and be sure he/she does the same. If this number doesn’t match up with what’s on your bill, then get back in touch with a company supervisor. 3) If no resolution occurs, contact your state public utilities commissioner whose address you can find in the phone book or online. For more oompah, personalize the complaint to the following: Alabama – Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh (Twinkle.Cavanaugh@psc.albama.gov); Georgia – Stan Wise (gapsc@psc.state.ga.us); and Tennessee – David Jones (1-800-342-8359; 615-770-6851).
-Phone companies: Any charges for services not on your plan? Just because a subscriber pays for caller ID doesn’t mean he or she automatically uses call waiting and so forth. Don’t remember dialing information to check on a number? How about a charge you paid last month but pops back up again? All these scenarios mean courteous complaining on your part. Just as quickly as you receive your bill, check for errors and call immediately; phone companies allow only 60 days to dispute unauthorized charges. (FYI: Call Free Yellow Pages for persons, business and government listings at 800-935-5697.)