Philadelphia Water Deprtment.  Refuted Bill, But Water Dept. Collected. Philadelphia Internet

I received my November-December bill in late November. I had just replaced my Water Heater on November 16. My plumber informed me that there were no leaks in my home after installation. After receiving the bill, I called the Water department and refuted the bill. After learning that I am 70 and disabled with 15 illnesses, the woman started to shout at me. I told her just because I am disabled does not mean I am stupid. I asked that the zip check be disabled immediately. 

This was done on November 28, 2016, but they are claiming it was done on December 2, 2016. They are also claiming that it took 21 days to get through their computer system to the zip check billing department. This is just malarkey. Because I thought at the time that the zip check was cancelled, I then emailed them to that effect. I emailed them twice. I called at least four times. 

On December 4, 2016, I called and asked for a new water meter. They sent a man out on Decmeber 8, 2016. His name was Elijah. Elijah said that the transmitter was broken and needed to be replaced. He told me not to dare to pay that bill. The bill was $158.30. I told him that every time I called them I told them I did not have the money and that was why I canceled zip check. And if it wound up that I had to pay it, I would have ot pay it in payments. I would think that the Water Department does take notes on calls. 

A couple of days later I sent a letter dated December 12, 2016 and included a check for $42.39 (this is what my bill usually is) and sent it to the Municipal Bldg. address which was required. It was check #179. They got the letter, because they sent a response telling me they would give me their decision in 30 days. To this date, they have not cashed the check or posted it. 

Also on December 12, 2016, unknown to me, they zip checked $158.30 from my bank account. Whenever there is a bill in dispute they are not supposed to take the bill from your account. Further, I had stopped zip check on the second of December, 2016!! I learned from my Bank, that my account went belly up (nothing left) by email. I had to go up to the bank and extract my tax money to pay my bills. Now, I do not have my taxes to pay next month. I also had to pay $27 in fees. This never would have occurred if the Philadelphia Water Department had canceled my zip check as required. 

When I called the next day, I waited one hour on the line to get through. The woman told me my zip check was not canceled. I told her it had to be, because I canceled it as soon as I got the bill. She told me she would have someone call me. When the woman called she claimed that although I called in to them on December 2n 2016, (I corrected her & told her I called on November 28, 2016) she said it did not go through the system to her until December 23, 2016. I told her I found that hard to believe. In my view, someone did not do their work, and now I cannot pay my taxes, and am out $27 in fees besides. Plus, I paid $42.39 additional to the Philadelphia Water Deprtment. 

The Philadelphia, Water Department now has $200.69 of my mone when they were only owed, $42.39. They further had me pay another $27 that I should have never had to pay. I want my money back so I can pay my taxes in February. They are ripping me off, and there is nothing I can do. I need help.

Barbaraanne

Philadelphia, PA