A WOMAN was billed over $233,000 for water she never used, so she fought back – so the Water Department threatened to take her pension.
The pensioner has been left battling the city she calls her home, as it tries to destroy the retirement fund she worked for.
A woman was billed over $233,000 for water she never used, so she fought back – so the Water Department threatened to take her pension[/caption]
Chicago-based Diane Carli, 82, inherited the childhood home of her late husband back in 2017 after he died.
Then, in 2024, the city contacted her, telling her a new water meter needed to be installed.
This request confused Carli, as there was no water meter or even a plumbing system in the house already, and she didn’t ask for one.
Nevertheless, she allowed the city to install one.
Within six months, she was hit with a bill for $233,439.90.
The Water Department said she used more than 500,000 gallons of water in that time, and has since put her account in collections.
The city has also threatened to reclaim her pension as payment.
Carli fumed: “This is unbelievable. This is totally wrong.
“I said, ‘A bill for what?’ And they said for water.
“I’m slow, I’m dumb, whatever you want to call me, but it’s going to take an Einstein to figure this s*** out. I don’t care what you say.
“I’ve never in my lifetime seen a bill like that.
“They’re going to put me in the grave with this, because what do I do?”
FIGHTING BACK
At first, Carli sent her daughter Lisa to fight the bill, but had no luck.
So, desperate, Carli turned to Ald. Raymond Lopez (15th), and even he couldn’t get the city to back off.
What to do if you’re overcharged
If you are overcharged at a retailer, there are a few ways to get your money back.
If you noticed you were charged more than the advertised or posted price, report it to an employee or manager.
Make sure to keep your receipt to show the price difference.
As a shopper, you are entitled to the lowest advertised, posted or quoted price offered by the store.
If you are charged more than the advertised, posted or quoted a price, report it to the sales clerk right away. If the sales clerk can’t help, speak to the manager.
Stores must honor a posted price, even if the price has expired.
You are also able to dispute charges with your bank if you notice something suspicious on your statement.
According to Los Angeles County Consumer& Business Affairs
“One would think that, after six years of seeing your stories on Getting Hosed, people within the Water Department, people within the Law Department, and people within Finance would understands mistakes happen.”
Lopez is referring to a series of investigations undertaken by CBS News about wrongful charges.
CBS News Chicago has uncovered countless Chicagoans who all got hosed by outrageous bills for water they never used
The city recently came back and replaced Diane’s water meter, which is registering zero water usage.
Lopez and the family are fighting the city to eliminate the entire bill.
Their fight is ongoing, and it is unknown if Carli will get the justice she is fighting for.
The Water Department said Carli used more than 500,000 gallons of water in six months and has since put her account in collections[/caption]
