What to do about an old utility bill that I suppossedley did not pay?
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What to do about an old utility bill that I suppossedley did not pay?
My husband and I just went to our municipal electric company to transfer service to our new home. The utility is currently in my husband’s name at the address we are moving from. Since our new lease is in both our names, the electric utility states they have to put service in both our names. After receiving my social security number, they presented me with a bill from 23 years ago from former address that they say I did not pay. I am certain that I had no unpaid utility bills from any period of my life. After all this time, as can be expected, I have no records of my utility payments and the credit union I did business with during that time no longer exists. The electric company refused to transfer service unless paid.
Asked on November 6, 2012 under Bankruptcy Law, Indiana
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
I would advise the utility company that the twenty-three (23) year old bill is time barred under your state's laws on the staute of limitations for its collection. As such, even though you contend that such was paid, you have no intention to pay off some bill supposedly dating back so long in time.
If service will not be transferred until the bill is paid, I suggest that you make a complaint against this particular utility company with your state's public utility commission. Such tactics are illegal.
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