Legal Question in Consumer Law in Virginia

Retro-charging legal?
November 21, I received a bill from my electric company charging $224.00 in retro-charges for the summer. When I called, they explained that the meter-reader was not working properly (and, therefore, I was undercharged) and, when they put a new one in, they opened the old one to find out the usage and charged accordingly. This is under investigation at the company, as the charges were outrageous considering that I was out of the country at the time and my heating and cooking are gas, which is provided by my apartment complex. My question to you, however, is this: Is it legal to retro-charge? They charged me for April, May, June and July in November, and this seems a bit odd to me. Plus, it was the fault of their machinery, not a fault of mine. Thank you for any information/advice you are able to provide.

Asked on 12/18/03, 11:24 am

Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

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Re: Retro-charging legal?

Utility companies may charge retroactively, and the fact that it was their device which resulted in you're being undercharged is irrelevant.

If the charges are incorrect there is a mechanism to challenge these inaccurate assessments which, apparently, you have already availed yourself of.

Answered on 12/22/03, 10:00 am

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