HAYDEN, Idaho (AP) — A utility has reimbursed a northern Idaho couple nearly $2,000 after sending them someone else's gas bill for more than three years. Avista Corp. spokeswoman Debbie Simock said the company has also offered an apology to Don and Penny Fisher. "It was ridiculous," Don Fisher told the Coeur d'Alene Press. "Even in the hot months it was riding up and we were paying for it."
The Fishers said they built fires and bundled up but continued to get big gas bills for three years and three months. They said their inquiries to Avista didn't get results.
"Argue, argue, argue," the couple said.
They said they reported a fake gas leak in January to get a visit from a company representative, who discovered that meter readings in the subdivision had been crossed.
The Fishers said they had to skimp on three Christmases due to their nearly $500 in winter gas and electric bills.
"It was ridiculous," Don Fisher said. "We could not be using that much gas."
"We're very sorry that this happened," said Simock. "We're taking a look at our internal process to make sure this doesn't happen again."
Simock said the company didn't have a report of a gas leak at the home, but instead sent someone to check on problems with the meter after getting details of the problem.
The Fishers said one of their bills was for $238, while the neighbor who was paying their bill was charged $28.
"Everyone was wondering how they kept their house so warm," Don said. "And even they didn't know."
Simock said that under Idaho Public Utilities Commission rules, Avista could bill the second customer for the last six months for energy used but not charged for.
But she said the company is not going to bill that customer.
"Because the error was our fault, we are not going to rebill the customer for six months," she said.
Spokane, Wash.-based Avista serves 121,000 electric and more than 93,000 natural gas customers in Idaho.


This is seriously awfyl but i'm glad they made it right and aren't rebilling the other ppl.

wow glad they got their money back!

wow that is just crazy!!!

That's just crazy, surprised they actually sent her the money she overpaid though.

I wonder if that is happening to my in laws. They use wood to heat their house and their bill is sooo high and they can't figure out why.

I read about this! It's crazy! I'm glad they are getting that money back (but for some reason I'm still doubting $2,000 is a month for paying someone else's bill for over three years!!!)

Thats crazy. I have wondered if our meter was not working right. We get super high bills here in the winter, granted we are all electric but our highest bills this year have been $500 + for one month. We keep our heat set on 60-65 degrees all day long. It has always baffled me how we can have that high of a bill when our summer bills are usually $200 or less. I also dont think they got reimbursed enough for the 3 years they overpaid. Shoot look at the difference between what they paid and the the $68 or whatever the neighbor paid.