ComplaintsforUS Utility Corporation
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Complaint Details
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Initial Complaint
12/20/2023
- Complaint Type:
- Billing Issues
- Status:
- Resolved
This company handles a water bill connected with my property. I tried several times to reach them by phone and they have NEVER answered my call. I simply wanted to verify if I had already paid the $500 OR was I double paying and it was a duplicate bill. I received a call back two months later with several fees added to my bill. They are unprofessional and rude. They added $356.12 to my $1000 dollar bill and I want that removed. I have no problem paying but there was no option for online pay and they never answer phone calls.Initial Complaint
12/17/2023
- Complaint Type:
- Billing Issues
- Status:
- Answered
This company is still using an obsolete method of payment, making it difficult for customers to make payments. The main problem is U.S utility LLC have a wrong address listed for my property and my account.. The balance ($15,479) they have on my account can not be verified because the is not viable way of contacting them. I previously requested a history of payments on the account but have yet to receive it. Their automated message system asked you to leave a message but the recorder immediately tells you “good bye”. I have been unsuccessful trying to make sure the balance they are indicating on my property is not meant for a different property. I will like to get this resolved before I make payment and not get charged over due fees.Business response
12/20/2023
Please see attached response.Initial Complaint
04/24/2023
- Complaint Type:
- Billing Issues
- Status:
- Answered
I received a statement from this company on March 15th, 2023. The statement stated that I owed $119 with 6 months of "delinquent charges" on the bill. I have never received any bills or correspondence from this company regarding these missed payments. Then upon receiving this statement in March, I have called this business multiple times weekly and have left over five voicemails, all of which have not been returned as of the writing of this statement. I am wanting to dispute these fraudulent charges and hope to speak with someone from this company, yet no one answers the phone nor returns voicemail messages. Please advise on next steps.Business response
04/24/2023
Please see attached correspondence in response to the Complaint.Initial Complaint
03/16/2023
- Complaint Type:
- Billing Issues
- Status:
- Resolved
The County assesses a front foot fee annually. I initially disputed the amount due to US Utility adding unauthorized fees to the Front Foot Assessment. Despite Having proof of sending disputes, they had their attorney lie and say they never received the correspondence. When trying to make a payment plan with the company, the company fails to answer any telephone calls, doesn't respond to voicemails, and does not answer emails. I have reported this company to the Maryland State Board for review because I and several other customers have had to deal with the poor customer service practices of this company. You can not threaten to put a lien on someones house and then when they attempt to resolve it, fail to communicate.Business response
03/20/2023
My office represents the company in this complaint. Upon receipt of the complaint, the company reached out directly to the the homeowner. It is my understanding that the matter has been satisfactorily resolved with the homeowner.
Accordingly, I believe this complaint can be closed.
Customer response
03/21/2023
Better Business Bureau:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
Sincerely,
****** *****Initial Complaint
03/09/2023
- Complaint Type:
- Service or Repair Issues
- Status:
- Resolved
Better Business Bureau I am filing a compliant in regards to trying to be over charged for my Front Footer yearly Assessment. The company is ********* ********** *** which is an Entities U.S. Utility, LLC Services, under U.S. Utility Corporation /LLC. I sent a letter to Ms. Denise ****** in regards to the Incorrect Billing Statements I was receiving for the 1/1/2022 Front Footer Assessment for my ********* Utilities for my home on 11/23/2022. We are charged for the first 25 years of purchasing our home an Assessment of $960.00 per year on 1/1 of the year. The problem stated on 11/3/2022. I received a bill on this date, stated I owed $761.23 that had included Payments I had already paid which was $337.70, $150.00, $6.70 = $494.40. In addition, what is listed below has been paid during 2021 + 2022 + 2023. For the two years of Front Footer Assessment of $960.00 each year add up to $1960.00. I have paid already between 2022/2023 – what is listed above $494.40, $595.20 + $494.00 = $1089.60 and $244.00 + $244.00 = $488.00 I received a new letter dated for 2/20/2023 $479.08. Please review all my information and contact the ********* Utilities LLC and inform me of the outcome with a resolution with the problem I have with this company. Payment History: 01/25/21 - $960.00 10/14/22 - $494.40 10/28/22 - $595.20 10/28/22 - $337.70 10/28/22 - $150.00 10/28/22 - $6.70 10/31/22 - $595.20 01/06/23 - $244.00 01/25/23 - $244.00 Total amount paid for the Three years is $3032.00. The Annual Front Footer Assessment is $960.00 for 25 years. I am Two years away from completely paying off my Front Footer Assessment. Thank you ******** ****** *** **** **** ***** *** **** *********** *** ***** ************ ****************** ******** ********Business response
03/10/2023
Please be advised that my office represents U.S. Utility, LLC (“US Utility”) in regards to the above-captioned matter. My office is in receipt of a copy of the Complaint dated March 9, 2023. Thank you for the opportunity to respond.
US Utility oversees the collection of water and sewer facility assessments from homeowners on behalf of ********* ********** *** (the “Utility Company”). These fees are often commonly referred to as “front foot assessments” or “front foot benefit charges.” These fees are established in accordance with documents recorded in the Land Records of the county in which the property is located (the “Utility Declaration”). Typically, they are also disclosed on the contract for sale and contained in the HUD-1 settlement statement. The fees represent a deferred payment for the design, construction and installation of private water and sewer facilities and are not related to any usage fee charged by the local government. Pursuant to the Utility Declaration, like most credit obligations, if the fees are not paid as and when due, then the account is subject to late charges, costs of collection and attorneys’ fees.
*** **** **** ***** ***** **** *********** ******** ***** (the “Property”) is subject to a Utility Declaration for a term of 23 years. Ms. ******, as the owner of the Property, is obligated to pay the sum of $960.00 which is due on the first day of January for each year of the term that she is the record owner. The Property remains subject to the Utility Declaration for four more
years.
In reviewing the Complaint and Ms. ******’s account, it appears she is inadvertently giving herself double credit for the October 14, 2022 payment of $494.40. This payment is reflected on her ledger when it was processed on October 28, 2022. The payment is credited as $337.70, $150.00, and $6.70, respectively. These are not separate payments, but rather are the $494.40 payment itemized. Ms. ****** also appears to not calculate certain costs of collection that US Utility incurred. While US Utility waived all 2022 late fees and some 2022 costs of collection as a
courtesy, $129.60 remained owed in addition to the 2022 assessment of $960.00 for a total of $1,089.60 and this amount was paid by Ms. ****** via her 2022 payments of $494.40 and $595.20.
Accordingly, the ledger reflects Ms. ******’s account had a zero balance as of the end of 2022. The 2023 assessment of $960.00 was due on January 1, 2023. Since that time, she has made two payments of $244.00 each, totaling $488.00. Accordingly, it is unclear why she believes her account has a zero balance given that $472.00 ($960.00-$488.00) of the 2023 assessment remains due and owing. While my client has waived numerous late fees in the past and has also waived the February 2023 late fee as a courtesy, my client cannot and will not continue to waive said fees for an amount clearly owed.
Nothing contained in this letter shall constitute an election of remedies on the part of US Utility or the Utility Company under applicable law. Furthermore, the acceptance of partial payments by US Utility or the Utility Company in connection with any indebtedness due and owing, whether before or after the date of this letter, shall not constitute an election of remedies on the part of US Utility under applicable law. By way of this letter, US Utility and the Utility Company
specifically reserves all of their rights, remedies and recourse under applicable law. In the event that Ms. **** received a Bankruptcy Discharge pursuant to 11 U.S.C. §727 of the United States Bankruptcy Code, this is not an attempt to collect a debt from her personally and this communication is for informational purposes only.
If you have any questions concerning this matter, please feel free to contact me. Very truly yours,
Brian ** *******
Customer response
03/10/2023
Better Business Bureau,
I was able to determine the mistake that was made by both myself and Ms. DENISE ******. Last year I received a statement for which I will attach again for reference purposes, dated for 11/3/2022. On this Statement it states I did a Direct Pay of $337.70, $150.00, & $6.70 for which I added that to the payments of $595.20 & $494.40 to make it seem I have over paid. But, doing my research yesterday per Ms. ****** request of me sending her proof of my payments that are listed below, I could not find on any of my Bank Statements the Direct Pay payments. So, even thou I have completed my payments for the year 2022, I had substracted that amount from my 2023 Front Footer Assessment and that is how I arrived at the miscalculations and seeing by this statement the mistake.
In addition, I did speak to Ms. Denise ****** to explain to me what Direct Pay meant and she stated, it was what I had already paid. I think those payments belong to someone else, but, that is not my business.
I had already submitted this information to Brian ** *******, *** ****** ** **** ** ***** ***, who has not address my correct name, but, a *** **** whoever that is, but, anyway, I know now that my calculations were incorrect because I received incorrect information and will be paying in the near future the remaining balance of what I owe of $479.08. Thank goodness they have corrected me on the amount of years I have to pay this Front Footer Assessment which is 23 years instead of 25. This is my last year yeah.
Thank you for taking the time to resolve this issue for me and I have sorry for any inconvenience.
thave now
Ok, I have put on this email the information you have requested and as you can see, I do not owe any payments for the year 2021, 2022, and because of the conversation we had last year, there is some confusion for which I understand were the mistake lye's.
The 11/3/2022 Statement is attached below.
On the 11/03/2022 Statement there is a section for Payments that we spoke of last year and you had explained to me that the $337.70, $150.00, and $6.70 were Direct Pays paid by me for which I cannot locate on any of my Bank Statements. So, these are payments I included in my calculation and that is how I arrived at, I did not owe anything else and had over paid last year.
I have now recalculated all my payments from 2021-2023 and can see that I do owe the Balance of $479.08. As I said before, this miscalculations was from the conversation I had with you last year that was incorrect explanation from you to me.
01/25/21 01/25/21 WITHDRAWAL ACH TANTALLON UTILIT TYPE: BILL PAYMT ID: ********** CO: TANTALLON UTILIT - 960.00
10/17/22 $-494.40 Withdrawal ACH TANTALLON UTILIT TYPE: BILL PAYMT ID: ********** CO: TANTALLON UTILIT Entry Class Code: *** *** Trace Number: ***************
11/02/22 $-595.20 Withdrawal ACH TANTALLON UTILIT TYPE: BILL PAYMT ID: ********** CO: TANTALLON UTILIT Entry Class Code: *** *** Trace Number: ***************
01/09/23 $-244.00 Withdrawal ACH TANTALLON UTILIT TYPE: BILL PAYMT ID: ********** CO: TANTALLON UTILIT Entry Class Code: *** *** Trace Number: ***************
01/27/23 $-244.00 Withdrawal ACH TANTALLON UTILIT TYPE: BILL PAYMT ID: ********** CO: TANTALLON UTILIT Entry Class Code: *** *** Trace Number: ***************
******** ******
******************
l us why here...Initial Complaint
07/21/2022
- Complaint Type:
- Billing Issues
- Status:
- Resolved
My wife and I paid off our water and sewer facility account with Mid Atlantic Utilities LLC. on 06/25/2021 in the amount of $6178.72 which was listed on the yearly statement . We had been waiting to receive a confirmation of our paid off account for a year when in July 2922 we received a statement indicating that we had a balance due. I then made several unsuccessful attempts to get this mishap with a remaining balance resolved . From a consumer's standpoint, there should be no balance left on our account if the full payment fir balance owed was received before the billing statement end date.Business response
08/01/2022
Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2022/07/27) */ --------- Forwarded message --------- From:**************************************> Date: Fri, Jul 22, 2022 at 10:55 AM Subject: Mid Atlantic Utilities, LLC- To: ******************************************************* Cc: Info ********************************************************************* Good Morning, Please see the email I sent to Mr. & Mrs. Fitzgerald confirming that we would accept payment from 2021 as payment in full & the homeowner acknowledging resolution. I certainly apologize for taking 3 days longer that I anticipated. Unfortunately, I had to reach out to the owners of Mid Atlantic Utilities, LLC. I have copied here the most recent email: From: ******************************************** Sent: Thursday, July 21, 2022 11:12 AM To: ************************************ Subject: RE: Account********* payoff confirmation Dear Ms.******** We are glad to hear that Mid Atlantic has decided to accept our last year's payment as paid-in-full. We appreciate your assistance with this matter and would like to request a written confirmation from Mid Atlantic indicating our payoff status. We also thank Mid Atlantic for their consideration. ********************** On 07/21/2022 8:56 AM**************************************> wrote: ********************** Thank you for your patience. Mid Atlantic Utilities, LLC is going to accept the payment from last year as paid in full. Unfortunately, it is not correct & we don't have the person you stated work for us we are kind of at a loss. I have spoken with our entire staff to just make sure everyone is completely aware of how the discounted payoffs work. I know that isn't your concern but just wanted to make sure you know I addressed. Thank you, ****** ****** ****** Vice President U.S. Utility Corporation 10176 Baltimore National Pike Suite 210 Ellicott City, MD 21042 410-418-5528 410-418-5598(Fax) PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THIS FIRM IS A DEBT COLLECTOR. THIS COMMUNICATION IS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED MAY BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY IN BANKRUPTCY OR IF YOU HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED A DISCHARGE IN BANKRUPTCY AND ARE RECEIVING A COPY OF THIS CORRESPONDENCE, THIS CORRESPONDENCE IS NOT AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT BUT RATHER IS BEING SENT FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. Confidentiality Notice: The information in this message is confidential and may be legally privileged. It is intended solely for the addressee. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, or distribution of the message, or any action or omission taken by you in reliance on it, is prohibited and may be unlawful. Please immediately contact the sender if you have received this message in error by telephone or return email and delete it and any attachments from your computer. This email does not create an attorney-client relationship, as an attorney-client relationship is only created by the execution of a retainer agreement. IRS Circular 230 Disclosure: To ensure compliance with requirements imposed by the IRS, we inform you that any U.S. tax advice contained in this communication (including any attachments) is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding penalties that may be imposed by the IRS regarding the transaction or matters discussed herein; or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any transaction or matter addressed herein. From: ********************************************** Sent: Monday, July 18, 2022 1:15 PM To:**************************************>; **********************************************; InfoInitial Complaint
10/23/2021
- Complaint Type:
- Billing Issues
- Status:
- Answered
Us Utility corporation keeps adding delinquent charges and collection fees in contradiction to earlier agreed upon payment arrangements and after having received over 600$ payments year to date. They're illegally and disproportionately adding fees in order to keep me in financial bondage.Business response
01/27/2022
Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2021/10/28) */ See attached Consumer Response /* (3000, 7, 2021/10/31) */ (The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.) There are several misstatements of facts in their lawyer's response and I quote from paragraph 5 of his response: "Home owner was offered a payment plan to resolve the matter, the homeowner never returned a signed copy of agreement to US Utility nor made any of the payments called there in." " I have reviewed the homeowner's file and it appears in proper order." This assertion cannot be further from the truth. The agreement was signed and returned with a check in the same envelope and the check was received and cashed. Therefore it's safe to assume that the agreement was received. The other allegation is not true either and please find my proof below: 7/10/20 ck # 103 250$ 7/28/20 ck# 105 150$ 9/09/20 ck # 106 100$ 10/13/20 ck# 110 100$ 11/12/20 ck# 113 100$ 12/14/20 ck # 117 100$ 03/15/21 ck # 121 300$ 06/14/21 ck # 126 300$ This payment history since the agreement, unfortunately, doesn't paint a picture of a person who was not showing good faith and cooperating with US Utility Corporation. These amounts paid do not only fulfill my commitment to pay the 50 monthly payment, but is also enough to cover the 2021 fees that I have just been dinged with additional collection and delinquent charges. I called these fees illegal because they are excessive, inconsistent and unfair. I'll attached a statement herein, where you will observe that they are truly out of hand and a major reason why I'm in the hole. For instance: 9/2016 cost of collection 120$ 11/2016 cost of collection 255$ 02/2019 cost of collection 375$ 11/2019 cost of collection 150$ This is just to highlight but a few and not to mention the multiple 75$ fees they are charging for private processing. I just want to reiterate my earlier request for all these added fees to be waived and my account adjusted so I can be able to get back in good standing. This is my sole purpose and not to damage anyone's reputation. I truly hope US Utility corporation can show some goodwill and some good social responsibility to make this happen. With what is going on at the moment, is not a good time to be encumbering your customers with further indebtedness. Therefore, I look forward to their cooperation in this matter in order to avoid further escalation. Business Response /* (4000, 9, 2021/11/02) */ From: Rachael M. <@shuelegal.com> Date: Mon, Nov 1, 202 at 4:44 PM Subject: Re: BBB Complaint No. ********; ****** ******* To: <********@greatermd.bbb.org>, Brian G. <********@shuelegal.com>, DENISE F. <*******@us-utility.com> Good Afternoon, Attached please find correspondence from Attorney Brian R. G. regarding the above-noted BBB Complaint. Thank you, -- Rachael M. Legal Assistant Consumer Response /* (4200, 11, 2021/11/02) */ (The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.) For the record, a signed agreement was sent in the same envelope with a check and the check was duly cashed and so it's safe to assume that the agreement was received. Greetings, The agreement was dated August of 2020. When you calculate 50$ monthly payments up to date, what I paid clearly clearly covers the agreed payments plus the 2021 fees. This lawyer on behalf of his client, has refused to negotiate refund of fees or any compromise whatsoever. I'm left with no choice, but to try to get possible help from seven on your side, start a petition so I can get help from local and state politicians or help from the court system. Best regards, ******Initial Complaint
09/15/2021
- Complaint Type:
- Billing Issues
- Status:
- Answered
Account Number: AXXXXXXX Charge for: 02/01/2021 - 01/31/22 Water & Sewer Facility Charge Address: **** ******* ***** ***** ****** ** XXXXX I moved to my new house in 2019 December at the above address, I have never once got a bill from this company (U.S. Utility Corporation & U.S. Utility, LLC) not until a week ago when their first letter came in the mail and I was still wondering if this is a legitimate letter before I got another one with a late fee of $150 cost of collection without agency. I have tried multiple times to verify that this is a legitimate bill before I blindly make a payment of $150 today as not to report my name to the credit bureau, call their office but they do not pick or return calls. Their phone hours are M-Th 9 am to 3:30 pm and F: 9 am to noon. But they don't even answer during those working hours. If you have other options for me to not do business with this company anymore, please recommend them to me.Business response
01/20/2022
Business Response /* (1000, 6, 2021/09/23) */ Please see attached response from the business Consumer Response /* (3000, 9, 2021/09/24) */ (The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.) Thank to your office for you effort to get this issue resolved and to the business for the response. First, I did not receive any Annul bill in December 2020. The first bill I receive was only around September 2021 and the second in the same month of September 2021 which comes as the late bill within the interfere of 1 to 3 week with double amount of the normally bill of $150. I have make the payment of my due amount of $150 and I am only urging this business to make sure bills are been sent out at when due and remove any late charge on my account in because I never receive any bill from their office in December 2020. I have previously attached the first and the second bill in my complaint. Please I want this business remove any late fee on my name and address while while I will request for adequately sending out bill in the future if possible with tracking number for us the customer and the business to monitor the duly delivery. Business Response /* (4000, 15, 2021/10/28) */ From: Brian G. <********@shuelegal.com> Date: Fri, Oct 22, 2021 at 10:28 AM Subject: Re: BBB Case# ******** - Response to Consumer Rebuttal Requested To: Samantha P. <********@greatermd.bbb.org> Ms. P., Attached please find correspondence from my office dated September 27. 2021 which addressed Ms. ********* concerns. This was forwarded to the BBB via electronic mail and first-class mail. - Brian
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Contact Information
Customer Complaints Summary
13 total complaints in the last 3 years.
5 complaints closed in the last 12 months.