I am on automatic bank payments to Columbia Gas Co. And am also on a fixed income (SSDI) The gas company took out 2 payments in May, first on the 2nd and again on May 29th.in doing so, they caused an overdraft of funds in my bank account resulting in fees totalling $91.00, When I received the automated e-mail saying they were going to take out June's payment on the 29th of May, I sent them an e-mail advising them that I did not have the funds and asked that they not take the funds until after the first of May. They claim they never received the e-mail of which I have kept a copy. I have spoken to the gas companies representatives several times asking that they notify the bank that the overdrafts were a result of them taking 2 payments in one month. Their response: "we have made no error and will not be notifying the bank. Our billing cycle runs from 28 to 31 days and automatic payments occur according to the date the meter is read."
I want the gas company to either refund my overdraft fees or work with the bank to let them know it was because they took 2 payments that overdrafts occurred. I cannot afford to lose close to $100.00 which was desperately needed for the support of my three grandchildren for whom I am responsible. (I am raising them with the help of my daughter, their aunt whom I also support) How many other older people on fixed incomes have lost money they can't afford to lose due to the gas company's lack of compassion and refusal to assume responsibility for the way their 'system of billing' works. I also found the person with whom I discussed this problem to be unhelpful and lacking in compassion. Bottom line is this; because of the gas company's 'flexible' meter reading and billing system, others like myself are in danger of overdrafts which they can ill afford. I am out $91.00 and have come off of their 'handy' on line billing system... So much for going paperless!
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