NICOR GAS ripoff dishonest fradulent billing Naperville Illinois

On several occassions, I spoke to a few of NICOR's reps about a mistake they made on billing my old account in Rockford, Il. Reminding them, that I had called them(NICOR) first, then Commonwealth Edison(COM ED)both to request termination of services for Dec. 01, 2004. I'd moved from the location on Dec. 03, 2004 under the impression that services had been switched back to the homeowner's name, as stated by the rep: reason being it was too late in the heating season, to completely shut the service off.

I recieved a bill in May of 2005, for this residence, in the amount of $500+! I immediately called NICOR to dispute this bill and remind them of the disconnection. The rep tells me that there was never a disconnection scheduled for that residence on the date I gave. I told her then why is it that the electric company had complied, and that I called them "last"? I demanded that an adjustment be made to the account, as I was not living in that residence, and had proof that I didn't even live in that STATE anymore. The rep requested that I send NICOR a copy of my FINAL BILL from COM ED, showing the cancellation date of Dec 01, 2004. I told her it would take some time because the bill was packed away in old boxes from when I'd previously moved to Wisconsin. I searched for two months until I found that ORIGINAL bill, and faxed it, along with my dispute explaination to NICOR, as requested.

When I got a response, NICOR only gave me an explaination of why they "would not" do the adjucstment. They gave me some excuse about having a new system that wouldn't allow them to "back-date" billing on any accounts.

I explained that if the "system" wouldn't let anyone do it, then they should override the system, and manually make the adjustment.

Nicor also, requested that I have the property owner telephone them, to verify my move-out date. I did as requested on that issue as well. I also responded to the letter of decline that NICOR had sent to me, with "No" return address, or contact name or number--mind you.

I spoke of my confusion in the response, to them because they specifically told me what steps to take to get the account adjusted, and correct the billing responsibility. I did exactly what they requested. NICOR had agreed to make the adjustment once the information was recieved.

I told them that this is just another display of how their representatives are screwing up residential accounts and billing matters. They are mishandling information, and misinforming customers.

Nicor then contradicted their own statement, by telling me that they could only "bill from the date of request", as if to say that May 5th, 2005 was the date of request. I'd already proven to them that Dec. 01, 2004 was the date of request. May 5, 2005 was the date of "dispute"!

I have made all honest attempts to resolve this matter and did exactly what was requested of me in order to fix the problem. I even gave NICOR the landlords name and number to inquire about the verification. When I spoke to him, he told me that he was also being billed for the same billing period!


I told NICOR that due to their failure to comply with their own conditions, I have no choice but to report the fraudulent activity, and deceptive practices of their representatives. This account now shows up on my credit, and is preventing me from being able to move into a new residence, as it shows negatively against my tenant history, with utility companies. thanks to their deception, I will be homeless at the end of August 2006, because my 30-Day notice to vacate has already been given, and I am just now becomming aware of the NICOR issues' effect on my credibility as a tenant. The reps show no names in the computer as to "Who" took certain calls, or any updated information on the accounts. They are showing in their "NEW" system that I have THREE outstanding accounts with them, and I don't have any! My bill should only be from the period of NOverber 17, 2004 until December 03, 2004. That's all I am responsible for!

Jamie
Madison, Wisconsin
U.S.A.