A Good Habit: Carefully Examining Statements Each Month

Hi,
There are certain bills for which we've been conditioned to pay the amount due without scrutinizing the statement. We assume that bills like electric, heating, utility etc., couldn't possibly be wrong. This is a dangerous sentiment, as computers can make mistakes on these bills just as easily as any other statements. Faulty meters, leaking water mains, and clerical errors are just some of the causes of incorrect utility bills. People can become very frustrated when trying to contact customer service representatives to have questions about utility bills answered. First, one is generally required to navigate an electronic menu which sometimes doesn't list an option that is directly related to the customer's questions. Then a computer voice notifies the customer of a wait time of anywhere from ten to thirty minutes. This produces a common reaction in the customer of not wanting to go through the hassle of questioning the bill, which then leads to the belief that it's better to just pay the questionable overcharge than waste an half hour to save a small amount of money. Unfortunately that understandable reaction could result in a repeated billing error until the error is corrected by the utility. It isn't just one possible overcharge, but a series of billing mistakes the customer might incur if the matter isn't handled in an expeditious manner. Sometimes the billing issue is the variation in utility costs on a month to month basis which cause hardship for a customer. If you have trouble paying utility bills during high cost months, investigate to see if your utility company offers any monthly cost averaging payment plans, or other assistance for which you might qualify. For example, a monthly averaging plan sets a constant monthly rate so one doesn't get faced with an exorbitant heating bill after a severe cold snap. If one is ever faced with a one time emergency, utility companies are usually more than happy to set up payment arrangements. Due to the computerization of most credit and collection departments, it is important to address any disputes or questions one has as soon as possible after receiving his or her bill. If a bill doesn't "look right" it could be due to a billing error. It may take a few attempts at calling before a customer is able to reach a customer service person who can address the billing issues, but it is worth it. On Monday I will discuss my favorite convoluted statement: the infamous cell phone bill.
Have a good weekend.
Until then,
Alan