Ok here's a new one. Recieved a monthly bill for Peoples Energy. Billing date was 4.06.08, Due Date was 4.28.08 Paid the bill on 5.10.08 via my bank. Meanwhile I closed the account out because I was moving so they issued an additional final bill on 4.08.08 Peoples energy has now marked me 30 days late claiming it's their policy that if a bill goes unpaid for any amount of time past the due date (even if it's less less than 30 days late) and a new bill is issued prior to the previous amount being paid that they revert the open balance back to the bill date and it becomes 30 days late. Can someone give me some advice? I have already filed suit in small claims and have a court date later this month for one of their previous messups but this to me is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard of. Even the terms on the back of the bill say that it could be reported when 31 days past due. Isn't 30 days late based on the Due Date not the bill date? Interestingly enough I received a letter from their collection agency for the amount shown and it is asking for the final amount to be made payable to Peoples Energy? Anyone have experience with this bait and switch on bill date/ due date? Is the FDCPA or FCRA 30 Days aging based against the Bill Date or Due Date? All of this sounds fishy and smells like me needing to fire up litigation machine in my mind.
