can Peco energy hold me resnsible for another persons billwhen person is deceased? and what legal charges can?

Question

In febuary I moved into a new apartment in which the utilitis are all electrically run. I received a letter from Peco energy saying they would cut off my service if not paid. I called Peco to inform them that I did not move into the apartment ubtil Febuary 2nd 2007,and the electric was already on. The customer service says that I owe this bill and they hold me liable. My question is what actions may I take for fraud, because I have documents stating when I moved in and the fact that the previous renter died and was a sickly person.

Answer 1

Ok, you said you moved in and the electricity was already on. Did you call up the electric company and get the electricity turned on in your name as soon as you moved in? It sounds like maybe you have been coasting on the bill of the previous person.

Answer 2

Write a letter to Peco and include a copy of your lease. Tell them that date shows for sure when you moved in and that it appears the person before you didn't cancel out his account, and that you didn't know you had to contact Peco when you moved in to get the account under your name. Tell Peco you would gladly pay the bill prorated to the date when you moved in. Ok, so when they send you the updated bill you must pay that and all in one payment. In addition they might sock you with a deposit as well which that too you must pay.

If you can find the newspaper obituary notice of that guy who died then send a copy of that as well. Why haven't you taken up this matter with the owner of your apartment building, asking them why they or the man's family didn't cancel the service under that guy's name prior to your move-in. His family or his designated guardian should have paid his bill.

Answer 3

How is it fraud? Just send them a certified letter with copies of the relevant documents and proof of payment since your move in date. Then if they continue to harass you, you can show that it was in bad faith.