Complaint Review: Ivanhoe Public Utility District - Ivanhoe California

I am the renter of a property located in Ivanhoe Ca. I am the mother of 4 children and am on a fixed income. I have lived in this location for almost two years, recently I received a letter from the Ivanhoe public utility district stating their intent to discontinue services due to non payment. I immediately visited the office located at 15859 Azalea Avenue  Ivanhoe, CA 93235.

I requested a printout of all payments made for the 2012 year. during my review of this "print-out" I noticed that the "fees" and "late charges" are not clear, their is NO listing of how much water was used during a period of time(i am metered) and a payment is not posted for 3 business days causing the payment to be recorded as "LATE" and SEVERAL LATE CHARGES and FEES for late or non payment are incurred.

I asked the desk attendant what the actual date the bill is due and she replied by the 5th of each month. I paid my bill in full for the month of August 2012(ALL "late charges" and "fees" as well...over $200) I was expecting my running balance to be at 0.00. Much to my surprise it was still listed as $43.40 to be due by Sep 5th. I asked the attendant why that amount was listed, she explained that the water bills are on a "PRE_PAID" schedule and when making a payment by the 5th of the month the bill is actually paid through the moth of September. HOW CAN A UTILITY THAT IS "METERED" be ON A PRE-PAID BASIS??

After reviewing my printout provided by the district office I am unable to find ANY type of meter reading, dates upon they were or will be read next, ALL the dates on said printout do not correspond with dates on notices sent via mail or the most notorious way of knowing when your late on a bill.....THE FENCE TAG? Yes, that is correct...if your bill is late a BRIGHT GREEN TAG IS PLACED ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE FENCE SURROUNDING YOUR PROPERTY for ALL your neighbors to see your "shame" embarrassing..YES...UNPROFESSIONAL, MOST DEFINATELY!

I know this will probably fall on def ears ...but I hope with all my hope that just one more person whom may be having the same confusing and UNJUST treatment will get some relief that they are NOT alone!! I have been mysteriously behind on my bill since moving into this residence, after studying my bills, notices, TAGS, and printout I have been RIPPED OFF for over $300 in late charges and UNEXPLAINED Fees just from JAN 2012 to present! I am in the process of getting this all straight and up to date and will review EVERY bill, TAG, and notice closely on future payments. I am also requesting a printout with EVERY payment made and the "new payment" is never listed immediately causing more late charges to be incurred.

When I visit the district office and requested a payment arrangement, I was rudely denied at the office being told I MUST pay the entire amount including all late charges and fees of be turned over to an attorney for abatement of service(even though I tried to pay over half the bill at that time). I went home and read my most recent notice and  called the telephone number provided to arrange for payments. I was connected to the same office(and same attendant) as I had visited in person just moments before. I asked to make arrangements for payment and was treated EXTREMELY rudely and after a VERY LONG EXTENSIVE conversation(being made to explain my MEDICAL NEEDS FOR SERVICE) I was told that I must return to the office and immediately pay over half the bill, the remaining balance of said bill was to be due NO LATER THAN 1 WEEK after making initial payment. To

To sum it up I paid $162.00 IN THE MONTH OF AUGUST 2012...TO BRING MY BILL TO DATE AND AM STILL LEFT OWING $43.40 FOR THE MOTH OF SEPTEMBER...DUE BY THE 9/5/12 OR SUFFER MORE OUTSTANDING CHARGES AND FEES.  PLEASE SOMEONE STOP THESE CROOKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!