Peoples Gas

March of 2012, I stopped a payment from one checking account and the same day, sent a wire transfer to People's Gas for the amount. I called People's Gas and told them I was stopping the payment, but would immediately issue another one. I asked the agent to notate this in my account. Approximately two weeks later, I received a letter from People's Gas telling me that because I stopped a payment and because another payment had been returned in June 2011, they would no longer accept checks or wire transfers for me to pay my bill. It would have to be cash, money order or cashier's check. Fine. On April 10th, I mailed two money orders - one for $250 and the other for $75 to pay my bill. The payment was made from the main Post Office on Adams St in downtown Chicago.

I checked my account online on April 12th to see if they had received the payment. I noticed they had not. I found this strange since I've had previous payments arrive in one or two days. As of Saturday April 14th, People's Gas has not received my payments. My bill was due on April 13th. I will have to fax documentation to a number a customer representative provided me with on April 13th when I called to check the status of my payments and possibly make another payment to keep my account in good standing. The representatives I spoke to on both Friday and Saturday told me it can take up to five days for payments to post. Three days (payment was mailed first thing in the morning on April 10th) is more than enough time for a payment to be processed if in fact they are processing payments in a timely manner.

I would very much like to know the processing times for payments so I and other customers are caused endless worry and confusion. As a customer, I have done exactly what People's Gas has asked me to do and it has caused my account to now be late. I will be faxing in the money order receipts on Monday, April 16th, and would like to have it researched and reviewed and have this payment status marked as "on time".

The technician for People's Gas was scheduled to replace the natural gas pipes and the meters, if necessary. The employee damaged the natural gas pipe that runs into the house and this created a gas leak. It took the employee several hours to determine that he damaged the pipe and this was the cause of the leak. We never had a gas leak before his arrival and we did not smell gas. As a result, our first floor tenants have been without gas for 2 days, going on 3 days. The employee could not properly diagnose the issue and this created further delays.

In addition, he damaged the pilot switch on our water heater and attempted to say that it was broken before he turned off the water heater. This service goes against everything the company claims to support regarding customer service. It is now 6:55PM on April 5, 2012 and if it's not resolved, it will be 3 days without gas on April 6, 2012. The technician was technician number **.

These utility monopolies have to stop. The service from People's Gas is laughable at best. Two weeks prior to a move, I called up and scheduled to have my service moved from the old address to the new. Everything went well (or so I thought), I never heard anything back stating that I had done anything improperly and I went about my move.

So now we're in the apartment and I'm waiting for the technician to show up and turn my gas on on the date which I had selected, but no one ever came. I called up People's Gas and they told me that when I had set up the transfer, I had listed the new apartment's address as 4A, which was not in their system. The only entries in their system were 4F and 4R, therefore they had cancelled my appointment and no one bothered to call me and ask the appropriate apartment or even tell me that the appointment was cancelled. Not to mention, you'd think anyone with any common sense could look at 4F and 4R in the system, see which one had a date scheduled to turn their service off and say "Gee! This must be the one that people are moving into/out of".

But wait, it gets better! Because of this mix-up, my account was somehow flagged as needing an identity verification, even though I've been a customer for four years now, have never had a single complaint or issue and have never been late on a single payment. So yesterday morning, I had to take a couple hours off of work, dig through five or six boxes trying to find my passport, then drive to one of their shady "payment centers" which was really just a disposable cell phone/pager store and present to them my license and passport. They provided me with a confirmation number and instructions to give that number to People's Gas.

I called back, waited on hold for an hour, then gave an associate my confirmation number. "Great!", she said. "We will forward this information to our incoming accounts department, who will review the documents and determine whether or not this is enough information to continue and if so, we will give you a call to set up an appointment to get your services turned on". For those of you at home who are keeping track, that's another three days without service, plus however long their technicians are going to take to get to my place. I called back about five or six times, finally being put in touch with a manager, who after a 20-minute conversation, called the incoming accounts department and made them get their ** together. Small victory.

An hour later, I got a call from a different People's gas representative to set up an appointment to turn on my services. But the earliest a technician can come out is Tuesday, 4/10, 7 days later. So my girlfriend and I are apparently supposed to spend the next week without being able to take showers, prepare food and do laundry all in an apartment where the temperature is dipping down to the 40s every night. Since the appointment was scheduled, I've called back four times, each time demanding to speak to a manager and each time being told that all managers were currently occupied, but would call me back. So far, I have not received any calls back and there is still no sign of getting the gas turned on in a reasonable amount of time.

For a company this size, there is absolutely no reason why during peak times (such as the first week of the month, when everyone in the city is moving), they do not have enough technicians working to be able to provide their customers with reasonable turnaround times on service requests (1-2 days vs 1-2 weeks) and it's really hard to believe that there are no technicians anywhere near my area who couldn't spare ten minutes to read a meter and turn a ** valve on.

I will be contacting both the BBB, the Illinois Department of Consumer Affairs as well as the City of Chicago: Business Affairs and Consumer Protection division with a detailed explanation of all of the unacceptable service that I have received thus far, as well as anything that transpires up until my services are turned on, like they should have been two days ago.

After Peoples Gas billed me incorrectly, I called to point this out and instead of fixing the matter, some ** lady told me it was my problem and I had to fax the "evidence" that I had cancelled service on a certain date. I had an email from them and she refused to acknowledge it or hear the order number. Super ** and not helpful at all. How is your screw up my problem? I waited on hold for almost 20 minutes. I asked to speak to a supervisor and was told no. I was told he would call me within 24 hours. He finally called at 7AM from a restricted number, then hung up when I answered. Called again an hour later when I was already at work and left a message saying call the 1-800 number! Yeah, like I should sit on hold again for them to fix the bill they screwed up. Terrible! This isn't my first time with this business being jerk, probably because they have a monopoly.

In December of 2010 I made a budget payment to People Gas. According to People Gas the payment did not post to my account due to some sort of error on their end. This improper activity cause me no longer to be eligible for the People Gas budget plan. Therefore I was forced to take time out of my schedule of being a full time student and employee to go down to my bank and request a printout for six months payments to the People Gas Company. I provided proof and never got credited for my payment. During January 2012 People disconnected my services reason being "a continued gas flow". Well I was then forced out of my old account into a new account that requested me to pay a deposit. I called People to ask why have my service been disconnect in subzero weather and their response was "the service has been shut off since July". My service was not interrupted! Until they came out fumbling with my account. I now have a first time bill of $337.16 after paying $150 to have my service restored in subzero weather. There was no need for a new account because there was an existing account already in place. Payments along with gas flow was already at my location.

I am writing to complain about the techs that come in and install service. I had to reschedule my service because the tech said they showed up, but they failed to show to install service. I have kids and it's cold in the Chicago winter weather. The tech did not leave a tag or anything. I was at the apartment since 10AM and my scheduled service was from 11:30-3:30! I was at the apartment all day and was even shoveling in front, and I saw no one came in or knocked on the door or anything. I called customer service and they didn't do anything to make the tech go back and install service. I want them to come on Saturday, but no, customer service can only use what the tech gives them. I've been having this appointment for a month and now this! I'm pissed off! I already complained to the Illinois Utility website as well as the Consumer Utility website! They have very bad service! Peoples Gas sucks! They need a better way to train their techs!

I set up a mandatory safety inspection for my gas meter, and service pipes appointment on February 20, 2012, from 9:30 AM to 11:30AM. I clearly stated on the form to have the technician call my cellphone number, when he is at my apartment, because my doorbell does not work! Clearly, that didn't happen. I didn't receive a phone call (when I clearly stated on the form), and now I've been told that I have to reschedule. I took the day off from work, just to be here for this appointment, and I feel that I shouldn't have to take another day off of work, when this issue wasn't my fault. I know that you provide service on a Saturday, but I have weddings to attend, and will be out of town for personal stuff. So the next 4 Saturdays, I'm not going to be here. I am extremely upset. This has been very inconvenient for me, and the customer service People's Gas is supposed to provide, has been unsatisfactory.

A Ms. Jefferson located in the Valley office of South CA gas told me that I started to process to receive gas service. However, when I applied, I was told that there was a fraud watch on my credit report which I placed and they would have to have me physically come in to verify my identity. I never came in and told them that I will not be needing service. I finally moved into the apartment in Dec of 2011 and I checked my mail and there was a $230.00 bill for service which I never used. I was told that there is nothing I can do. I can only talk to collections.

After I complete this letter, I will begin my research into finding an alternate gas supplier. I have been a homeowner for nearly 30 years and have faithfully paid Peoples Gas every month with the expectation of being treated kindly and with respect. My nightmare began in October of 2011. As instructed by the automated message, I left room to access the meter, water heater, and furnace. The technician informed me that I failed to meet the industry standard in terms of clearance and did not service me. Please note that your automated message gives no specific guidelines; hence, the conflict between his definition of clearance and mine.

My next appointment was scheduled for the 29th of November. Using the standards given to me by the technician, the clearance adjustment was made. I had an afternoon appointment. So, with both my cell phone and my house phone in my pockets, I waited in my home. I waited and waited and waited. At approximately 2:15 p.m., I called to inquire about the appointment. As I was on the phone, the technician pulled up. I sat in my reading room waiting for him to leave his truck. It appeared as though he was writing and I assumed he was doing either a pre or post-report. As I waited patiently, the strangest thing happened. He pulled off!

Frantically, I called Peoples Gas imploring you to contact this technician and have him return. I was told that was impossible. The customer service representative I spoke with was named Sharnise. As you know, she was not allowed to give her last name. She informed me that the technician (employee number **) reported that he called me but there was no answer, so he left. I asked to speak to a manager. Sharnise returned and said that a Ms. L. advised me to make another appointment. I asked Sharnise to advise Ms. L. to speak to me, a long standing customer. I was denied this request but was told she would call me within 24 hours.

When I spoke to Ms. L., I informed her that I had both phones with me all day and not only did he not call. He did not even get out of the truck and ring the doorbell. She told me he did not have to ring the doorbell and that the policy was to call. I refuse to believe that a business such as Peoples Gas would encourage such a policy. In terms of efficiency, it makes no sense. Feeling as though my situation was being dismissed, I implored her to check the technician's phone log and she would see that he had not called.

She did not even acknowledge my statement. Instead, she told me that she was putting me down for January 5th and asked if I wanted morning or afternoon. I told her that I had already taken off 2 days of work for the gas company and unless I was the first appointment on that day, then Peoples Gas would not gain access. She said that was not possible. She did not control scheduling. I asked to speak with the person who did and was refused. She told me that she would email him on my behalf. I specifically asked, "So you will get back to me with his response?" She replied, "Yes."

Time passed and I got no call. So I called again. Again I was not allowed to speak to a manager right away. Later that day, a Mr. M. called. I repeated the series of events. He listened politely and said, "I will look into this for you and if you do not hear from me or Ms. L., then everything is all set for you to have the first appointment on January 5, 2012." No one called. So I woke up earlier than usual in the morning so I would be showered, dressed, and ready for work when the technician arrived at 7:30. He did not come.

I pray that this has not become a ** contest. What I know is that I have been ignored and disrespected in terms of customer service. And quite frankly, after 28 years of paying you thousands of dollars promptly, I am insulted and frustrated. Insulted and frustrated to the point where I am looking at alternatives. So, if you have time in your schedule, it would be great to hear from you. I would like to hear how you are going to address this issue and insure that I am treated fairly. I would like to hear how you are going to stick by your word and, in an effort to make things right, do what you promised to do which is to give me the first appointment so I don't have to take off work again. If I get no response within the next few days, I will have to assume that you are no longer interested in retaining me as a customer. You can best reach me at **.

Peoples Gas sent me estimated bills for months which I paid on time, and even though I requested a meter reading, they told me everything was fine. Then months later, they dumped a $2,000 bill on me after taking an accurate meter reading and sent it straight to collections. It screwed up my credit score and now I'm paying for it.

Reading other complaints, I see mine is not unique. How in this day of customer service can I call for service to be started, and be given a start date one week later? It's December! This is not a high volume move in time. After speaking to the agent with no concern for my issue, I asked to speak to a supervisor. She told me they won't take calls, but I could provide a call-back number. I called back immediately, to try another agent. She was at least willing to put me on hold to speak to a supervisor. As expected, she was extremely unhelpful.

She clearly could care less that I'm supposed to stay in a home with no heat, in December, for a week. All she could say was a scripted, "I'm sorry you have to wait a week, but we have guidelines and policies". This was her idea of good customer service, by saying that I called for service and an appointment had been made for a start up in one week. I've never been so annoyed with a group of people or a company! If I had any recourse, I'd certainly be taking it immediately!

Worst place ever because you have no alternatives or repercussions. They simply don't care. It doesn't matter that you can go a week without heat in December when temperatures are in the teens. Water pipes might break, you can freeze to death, but they won't work past two on weekends and 3:30 on weekdays. The CS rep actually said that. I even offered a $100 tip if they came out at 4 to 4:30. They said no. Complete soullessness, careless, and laziness. Especially in this day of unemployment, it's a shame we have corporations that do this **. There are no consequences yet. I'd love for there to be some. I have to put up with their garbage.

I have had my gas turned off for a week, after paying the bill. I was given a date of11-18-11. I told then that was unacceptable. I called the next day, the young lady Tania, was able to move my apt. up to 11-12-11, at 730 am, 11:30 am. I called to see where I was on this so called appointment list, to find out they had the wrong telephone number. I got that straight and check the time again. I called 11-12-11, to find out that someone at the gas co. had changed the time from am to pm. I"m mad as hell, I have two people in my house with Asthma. I told them that and all they can say is "I"m sorry they have Asthma." What kind of ** is that?

Peoples Gas have been taking people's money for years and screwing over them. Peoples Gas need some competition that would make them clean their act up. Nicore would welcome the competition and bring Peoples Gas to their knees. When I asked Mr.Norell where was his office located. He replied, North Carolina. This was the worst experience ever.

I take care of my elderly mother's building in Chicago. (She now lives with us.) I live several blocks from Lake Michigan right on the border between Indiana and Michigan. I have a family and commitments there.

I was scheduled to have gas service established on Nov. 9 between the hours of 11:30am-3:30pm. I called at 3:06pm, 4:49pm, and 6:36pm, confirming that a technician would still be coming. The last time, I got the employee name and number (Aeshia, #**). When I called back at 7:39pm, I received the standard recorded message stating that their offices are now closed, and if I would please call back during normal business hours. I finally left to drive home to Michiana Shores, Indiana after about nine futile hours of waiting in an apartment with no heat other than an electric plug-in heater.

Emergencies happen, but toward the end, it would even have accepted a call from the technician saying, "Sorry, I'm drunk. Call to reschedule."! Anything would have been preferable to the absence of any kind of communication on their part.

I would like a credit on my first bill for my time and for gas money to drive to that unit and back home. But the irony is that it will probably be passed back onto me and the many other customers the next time this utility company stands in front of the Federal Regulatory Commission asking for a rate hike due to increased costs of operation.

What I would really like is to be paid from the offending employee's next paycheck. Not because I'm angry at him or her, but because of accountability. The person responsible for the mistake should bear the cost, so he doesn't do it again. It's the same as making the child who broke the window pay for a new one. Wise parents understand this principle; why don't mega-utilities?

It was scheduled on 22nd of October 2011. The inside safety inspection was scheduled for November 10, 2011. I received gas disconnection notice with a reason of "failure to schedule inside safety inspection" called "notice prior to disconnection". I can't find a human being to inform that this is a false notice and prevent wrongful disconnection.

ZERO Star Rated Utility Company. Here is a monopolistic gas company that is acting like the King. They will not show up on time, and ask for reschedules to turn on the gas in the middle of a Chicago Fall Season where low temperatures are in the 30 degree to 45 degree range.

Chicago needs to kick out this franchise or we as customers need to select another Gas Provider (equal access is available), to teach these guys a lesson. With all of the rest of the complaints, we are finally feeling terrible about buying a condo in Chicago.

People Gas has cut off my gas several times in error because of a neighbor. I pay my gas bill in advance, so there is no reason for them to cut off my gas. This happens to me about every three months. A neighbor who cannot pay her bill across the street is the one who should have her gas off. I wake up early in the morning when I have to go to work and several times I had to go in late or call off because there was no hot water, only cold working in my house. The heat is not on and I cannot fix me anything to eat.

When I called at 7:21 a.m. on 10/30/11, People Gas stated that it will be an hour or more before they contact me because their computers are not working and they have to see should my gas be off. It is 9:30 a.m. on 10/30/11, no one has contacted me. I wearing a down winter coat in my house because it is that cold in my house.

Peoples Gas turned off my gas 3 weeks because of a mix up with the online billing. It didn't work and they shut off the gas for my two meters. Then I called and called again, and 14 days later, they came but only turned one meter on. It's been another week and I'm still waiting for their scheduling department to call back. It's getting colder and there is no gas for cooking. I'm fed up, you can call these people all day and nothing ever happens. I need my gas back on. I'm still waiting and my tenants are frustrated to say the least.

We noticed a gas smell after an agent from Peoples Gas did a safety inspection. I called Peoples Gas about the gas leak and they came out and shut off our gas service. We found out that the leak is from the main pipe, coming into the meter. We feel that it is their responsibility to repair the gas leak. They refused to repair our leak and will not provide gas until we hire our own contractor to have it repaired. We have no gas service for three days now. Plumbers are charging us over $800 to do the repairs that Peoples Gas is responsible for.

You schedule an appointment with them after they threaten you about an inspection. Then they don't show up and send you another letter telling you that you have not contacted them. So you try calling the number they give you and it tells you that that service is unavailable.

I finally hit paying my bill and I reached a live person. I told her I have a confirmation I printed out from the internet showing my appointment. She tells me that because I filled it out over the internet, that's why it never showed up in their system. What the heck is going on? So she gives me another appointment almost a month away.

No one has time to wait on these people and they don't show up. My cousin has been going through this since last year.

Today, 09/26/11, I observed some men from the gas company on the block were I live and one man was doing all the work, while three other men were doing nothing. One of the men was on his cell phone for the whole duration of me watching them. The other two men were standing around talking to each other with an occasional laugh. I raised up my window and said to the one working, "Why are you the only one working?". He chuckled and said, "They're working". Is this why the company wants to increase the payment?

On August 27th, I received a letter regarding mandatory safety inspection from People's Gas Company. Have an inspection or turn off your gas? I scheduled inspection for September 8th and that evening, I smelled gas in my basement. What did they inspect? This lead to replacement of a leaking gas line on my water tank. Replacement of that tank was $745. I also recalled, before the inspector left, asking him to inspect my gas stove and I was told "I just turned off my gas meter checking device". I told him to turn it back on and check the stove. He did, but was not pleased as it caused him another 3 minutes to be in the house.

Now, I ask if I am threatened to have a safety inspection or have my gas turned off? They came out and told me everything was fine and then I, myself, find a gas leak? Where is the justice in this inspection? I called People's Gas but to no avail. They said they would come back out and I said, "For what? I already took care of the gas leak and replaced my water tank". There are no more gas leaks. I'm very disappointed with a service I pay royally for, in return, I receive no satisfaction at all from them. They say it is their commitment to deliver safe, clean and reliable natural gas every day. Now that's a joke, if I ever heard one. I would suggest if this is a federal law to do inspections, perhaps People's Gas could do a better job for the safety of their clients.

The Peoples Gas monopoly is now seen fit to sneak a security deposit on my monthly bill. I have had an account for 32 years at this address. I have made approximately 320 payments in a timely fashion to this monopoly! All of a sudden, they think I'm a deadbeat and that they need to extort a little more money. 320 timely payments don't mean squat! But, I guess, when you have everyone by the short hairs (being that they are a monopoly), they can hold customers hostage. Talk about a greedy company.

I received a call today from my tenant that People's Gas was there; they said that they are there to turn off the gas of the tenant of the 3rd floor because she has never paid the bill. That she owes over $4,000. I was nowhere in the area. He said he is coming back tomorrow, and turning off the entire building.

I am appalled that he would discuss someone else's bill with the tenant and me, and I am disturbed that they are threatening to turn off the gas for all of the building although everyone else is paying their bill. Is this legal?

Peoples Gas shut my gas off yesterday, without giving a disconnection notice. I have a wife who just had surgery; she cannot leave the house (so we can't go to a hotel), and we have a five month old baby. They won't turn the gas back on until 7/26/11. They said that was the first available time they can do it. We will now be bathing and eating by hot pot.

I have a 1 year old grandchild that needs hot water and they shut my gas off and I didn't receive a disconnection notice. I have been making payments every month and they tell me that I have to pay $168.04 to have my gas turned back on. I tried to make the payment over the phone and they tell me that their system is down and they can't tell me when my gas will be turned back on so my grandchild have to suffer as well as me.

My gas service was turned off yesterday afternoon June 22, 2011, without notification and the re-connection service amount was paid that evening. I called up this morning June 23, 2011 to schedule an appointment to turn on service and the next available appointment is not until Saturday June 25, 2011, refusing to have someone return our service any sooner.

After talking to a female service rep Zekeiah, I was told that Supervisor Mrs. G would return my call within the hour. I never received that phone call. Every time I try to get a hold of someone to rectify this situation I'm told that there is no one available to return my service to me. Yet I have photographic evidence of truck number 3734 parked at the corner of the street I live on, with two workers sitting inside, at 11:15 this morning.

Peoples Gas requires that I arrive in person at their payment location within 14 days and provide a copy of a major piece of identification in order to have them turn on the gas. They say that the government is requiring them to authenticate people's identities to protect us from identity theft.

Why, are there a lot of people pretending to be other people trying steal cooking and heating gas? Is this a rampant problem that everyone must trek out of their way to prove this? What makes Peoples Gas a valid agency against identity theft? I don't really trust Peoples Gas to accurately and privately maintain my personal information. If I don't provide this information, my ability to heat myself and cook for myself will be turned off? I don't want to provide the information, but I need these utilities.

In about August 2007, I, Adrian **, rented an apartment from Caroline ** at **. In about July 2008, there was a fire in the building. The landlord told me to turn off utilities because of possible water damage. I gave Peoples Gas forwarding address and paid final bill. Some time in 2009, I received an automated call stating that I owed People Gas for service. After the fire, I moved out and didn't renew the lease. How could I owe when I no longer live there? I called the gas company and told them to call the landlord as I did, because I was told at the time of my call that the unit in question had not been occupied since I left. I paid Peoples Gas on time every month. I don't deserve this.

I have tried to cancel my automatic bank withdrawal payments with this company on several occasions. Prior to my upcoming bill on 12/29/10 I called the company to ensure that there will not be an automatic payment taken out of my account. I was told by a representative and a supervisor that it would not. Subsequently, it was still taken out and my account was overdrawn. I have contacted the company several times since and have been told I would receive a call back from a supervisor. I have not been contacted.

We moved after 7 years of paying our gas bill on time. After we move, we get a bill from People's Gas saying they had been under charging us for gas while we lived at our old place. Now, they want $380 for the last year we lived there. They are going to pass on the other 6 years. This seems like a scam to me. It's their fault for under charging us, but how can we prove this or how can they prove it? We just got a letter in the mail at our new address asking for $380.

I had a disconnection of service with People's Gas due to economic challenges. I then paid the full amount due in full at an authorized dealer. The funds were removed from my account and posted to my account within 2 business days. However, when I called to schedule my reconnection, they stated protocol demands that they wait 10 business days. This doesn't make any sense. They first said it was due to needing to make sure the "check" cleared. I advised that we are in an age of modern day technology and the check wasn't even physically taken at the authorized dealer, it was an Electronic Funds Transfer, so it came out and posted to account right away. They need to update their policy to differentiate EFT from checks as more and more businesses are making the paper check process obsolete and implementing EFT in place. It should not take 10 business days to clear!

I had been working with People's gas with my gas bill because I had lost my job. After making several phone calls to them, they assured me that all was well with my gas services and the representative suggested that I go to CEDA to get my bill covered. After going to CEDA, I was told that I could not get assistance because I had tampered with the meter. I was lost for words because my gas was never turned off! My landlord resides on the property and she would have been aware of the gas being turned off. As a result, I could not get the assistance that I needed and I have to pay the entire gas bill with a very limited income and now I don't even turn my heat on because I don't want anymore issues with them. So, my daughter and I are in my home with a electric heater to use.

The gas company refuses to release a copy of report regarding their findings in my apartment and apartment building after fire department called them about my carbon monoxide levels being elevated. My fianc and I have called on numerous occasions of which the workers will disconnect our lines while on hold and refuse to release the report which should state there were elevated readings downstairs in two apartments.

I bought my residence over ten years ago; and every year, lately, I received notice of inspection of the gas meter which the company access through a remote device to calculate the meter readings. I don't have problem with that. Anytime they come, they open the wall where they hid the meter and seal it up after inspection.

This time when they came they asked me to open the wall. I was surprised because I am not a carpenter or a handyman. I explained to the guy that you installed the meter where you wanted it to be and normally opened it up and sealed it back at your will, so why this time you wanted me to open it myself at my expense? I spoke to the supervisor and he said if they open it, it has to be at my expense. I told to move the meter outside then where they could have access to it at their will.

He said that will cost me again an amount he refused to disclose. I believed this is injustice. He threatened me to cut my gas off within a week. I believe I should not be a victim of their earlier error of hiding the gas meter inside my closet because the building was built before the meter was installed. Removing it from my closet should be at their expense not mine. Please help before my gas is unjustly cut off.

I had a gas leak. Peoples Gas came out Monday night and turned off my gas and said that I had to have it fixed before they would turn it on. I had it fixed Tuesday morning and called Peoples Gas at 10:30am to have someone come out and check out the work and turn the gas back on. It is now 5:30pm and no one has shown up. I have called Peoples Gas 3 times to see if they can come out after 7:30pm because I have a family dinner that I need to go to. I was home all day. I had to take a day off of work.

Still they cannot accommodate me. What kind of business does that? What kind of business treats their customers like this? Why isn't there any other company I can go to for my gas needs? Why am I stuck with people's gas? I have no gas right now and I probably will not have any tonight and tomorrow (because I can't take off work and wait for them). So I won't have gas or heat or hot water until when? When I can take off work, lose a day's pay and wait for them to come out. Baloney!

I live in a 6-unit enclosed townhouse complex. Yesterday, a People's Gas representative knocked on our window to request access to disconnect the neighbor's service. I informed the rep that the residents at the unit in question (unit #1) were not at home and to return later. Additionally, I was very surprised that the rep had disclosed private information about the neighbor's service disconnection to me. 15 minutes later, a supervisor from People's Gas yelled outside the window again and asked for access into the building. I informed the individual that I would not be able to help and did not feel comfortable providing access to the requested unit without the owner's permission or presence.

Another 15 minutes later, my wife, our two children and I were exiting our car park when both of the reps from the utility company stormed the garage door and entered the building. At this point, I was very nervous and uncomfortable and stated my discontent at the individuals storming into private property without permission. I had no way of confirming the authenticity of their association with the utility company and the reps did not provide any identification. The reps became irate and refused to leave the premises and started to use foul language in front of my wife and children.

The commotion scared my wife and children. I ended up calling the police to help remove the individuals from our property. It took the police 15 minutes to arrive and during that time, the reps refused to leave our premises and I was unable to leave as I was uncomfortable allowing unfettered access to our complex without supervision. I would like to report this unusual and extremely aggressive behavior by the gas representatives.

It is 12:05 pm and I am currently on the phone with peoples gas waiting to speak with a supervisor. I asked to speak with the supervisor during the previous call with a man who said his name was Omar and refused to give his last name. He also told me there was no way to change the payment date, and that there was no supervisor available and he refused to give me his last name.

I called to request that my bill payment date be adjusted from the second day of the month to the fourth or fifth day of the month to allow processing. I am requesting this change because I am sending my payments using online bill pay and I need an additional two days for processing. Also, I am on a fixed income and I would like to ensure that my payments are made on time. During the last call, I asked for a supervisor and was transferred to a Mr. M*** who was polite and professional. I was told by Mr. *** that the payment date adjustment will take effect for the October bill.

I gave Peoples Gas a deposit of $120.00, paid in full, last April 2009. They keep your deposit until your payments are paid in full for one year without being late. I am on disability and I make payments when my check comes and sometimes, it is late. So I think the Gas company should refund me my whole deposit check because I need it more than they do. Now, they are telling me I can't get it for one more year. My payments will be late because of my check being late. So what am I supposed to do? Can you do anything about this for me? I really need this money. I am partially blind and need this asap.

The customer service at People's Gas has been consistently horrendous. I have had numerous unpleasant experiences in the past, but my experience today in particular prompted me to write. I spoke with a woman who would only identify herself as "Tameka". She would not provide a last name, though I did ask.

After several minutes and numerous attempts to make my very simple question understood, I asked her if I could please speak with someone else, as she would only reply with what sounded to be a scripted answer that did not actually address my question. She told me that the only way I would speak with someone else was to hang up and call back (and thus go through another 10 minute hold).

I asked several times for her to let me speak with someone else on her phone so that I could explain my question, which she refused to do. She provided two entirely contradicting answers to my question and, when I alerted her to this, she quite rudely informed me that she had already answered my question correctly. I continued to ask to please speak with someone else, and she continued to tell me that she would not transfer me to someone else and that my question had already been answered.

I had to say "hello?" approximately 5 times during the call because she would not respond to me. When I finally stated to her what I thought the answer to my question was (which I stated at the beginning of the call), she told me that that was what she had been telling me the entire time, and denied ever telling me otherwise (which she clearly had or I would not have spent 10 minutes speaking with her). She offered to transfer me so that I could pay my bill and, of course, she ended up hanging up on me.

All in all, I suppose I could have just avoided yet another completely frustrating and useless experience with the Customer Service Dept. at People's Gas, as I apparently had the right answer the whole time.

On 6/17, I called and talked to Denise about moving at the end of the month and my bill. I was out of work for 3 months this spring and getting caught back up. End of last week, I kept getting recorded phone calls to call People's Gas or they would just call and the recording would hang up. I was worried it was about moving my service, so I called and got a Hispanic man named Phyllis, who hung up after I asked him 3x to spell his name. Then I called back and got Bevin, who did not listen since the moment she picked up the phone and kept thinking I already moved. It was clear, after 6 minutes, we were not making headway so I asked for her supervisor.

After 16 minutes, she finally got Miss Love on the phone, who was no better than Bevin! Both of them talking over me! I asked her for the department head of customer service and she had no idea who that was, so she gave me her supervisor's name of David **! They both said, I was getting hang up calls and recorded messages because of my bill, yet neither could tell me why, since I already talked to Denise! Neither seemed concerned to even check and make sure my transfer of service was all in order! I was on the phone for just under 20 minutes and was furious by time I was done. Both Bevin and Miss Love need to go back to training as they missed the part about listening to the customer and not to talk over the customer!

I do know, even if my service is set to be transferred or not on 6/30/10! People Gas is a joke, as they are anything but gas for the people! I have had them for 2 years now and had Nicor since 1997 and never once had a problem with Nicor. In 2 years with PG, I have been ridiculed and berated and hung up on and repeatedly overcharged, yet no one cares. Why is PG the only gas company to serve Chicago?

Peoples Gas screwed up my credit, and I'm very upset. I have a condo rented by a tenant who moved in March 1. On February 3, I paid what I thought was my final gas bill for this unit located. However, sometime in March, I received another "final bill" and questioned the company about it. However, they explained that this was the real final bill; therefore, I paid it.

Then, a collection agency sends me a this same bill, and I told them after speaking with the gas company I realized that I did indeed own the $114 and paid the money on the spot. This all occurred within 30 days. However, this was reported to a credit agency; and now, my credit score has dropped 200 points! I need this corrected ASAP. Can someone please let me know what to do? My credit scores has been reduced from 820 to 680. I'm mad. I'm in the process of re-financing, and this is not good.

You dug up my lawn of freshly planted grass seeds and turned off my gas. Is this how paying costumers are treated? Our bill is current on a consistent bases. Who is going to correct this mess? When was I going to be notified that you were coming? Don't ask me what happened. You tell me what happened. How inconvenient! I have a young baby in the home with me. A funeral in the morning. Where will I bathe the family? Who is going t5o repair my lawn? Can we shower at your home?

On Monday 04-19-10, I returned home from work to cook dinner for myself and kids, I discover the gas was off at my home. I found a note on the front door simply stating, "I came to let you know gas service has been temporarily turned off," with a phone number to call. I called the number and spoke with Tom. When asked why the gas was shut off, with a really bad attitude, he replied he didn't know. I inquired about my surrounding area if they had gas or no. He again replied funky he doesn't know. He stated he could send someone out tonight.

At 10:05 pm or so, two guys showed up, one in street clothes and the other one just had on a vest with Peoples Gas on the back. Because I've seen these two people before and the fact that it's 10 pm, I asked for ID. One had a problem with that and stated they could leave. I stated you would never let anyone in your house you didn't know. The other one showed it with no problem. After a minute of staring at each other, the other one showed ID. I still didn't really see the name. Oh, well. Long story short, I also asked if they had information on the gas being off, no.

While looking at the meter, they decided to replace the meter then checked the stove, dryer, and my furnace. While upstairs with the one guy checking the stove, the other one was downstairs by himself checking dryer and furnace. When I returned back downstairs, the guy was telling me he has to cap my furnace because of "rusted out flue pipe that have been replaced and inspected by the contractor." Also, he wrote this on a ticket. I asked what does that mean. He stated he could not leave this furnace on because it is rusted and could leak carbon monoxide. I explained I just moved in this house not even a year yet, not only was it inspected I had it serviced prior to turning it on for the winter.

He stated I should have licensed people look at and fix it. So in spite of my best effort not to have myself and my children in a cold house by paying hundreds of dollars in gas bills in full and on time, this what we got. On 04-20-10, I started calling Peoples Gas company at 8 am and continued all day talking to many people, but no one who really cared or who could really help. I did find a couple of things out: (1) The gas was shut off by mistake; (2) every other bill is estimated; (3) the estimated one is always the highest one. (4) No matter how many times you call and ask to speak to a manager, you never will. (5) When they tell you someone will call you back in 24 hours, they will not!

After getting home on 04-20-10, I decided to see what this technician was really talking about. At first sight you could clearly see a giant hole in the part the technician called the flue pipe. He pushed a hole in my flue pipe, and to cover it up, the technician from Peoples Gas had to cap off my furnace because for sure carbon monoxide would kill me and my children, just not understanding why. There is no way that the hole was there all this time. We also have detectors for fire and carbon monoxide, and it never ever went off. It's monitored by ADT. From 04-19-10 onwards, my family and I have not had heat in my home. My son is 13 years old and he has had asthma all his life.

I worry that he will get sick and must go to the hospital as a result of the gas being mistakenly shut off and the Peoples Gas technicians coming out. I now have to pay for my furnace to be properly repaired with money I don't have and just pray it warms up just a little faster. My house is brick and if it's 50 degrees outside, it feels like 20 inside. I do have pictures from inspection (Frank, the inspector) to show it was not rusted as stated by the technician and there was no hole. I do have pictures of the hole as of now, and will get a statement from the contractor (Rob) who inspected my furnace in October. I truly cannot afford to pay for this repair right now. As of May 1st, my mortgage has been going up over $300.00 due to taxes. Truly, if I would have known the gas would be a problem, I would not have paid $362.11 in March. By the way, the next bill is due on 04-23-10 in the amount of $60.97.

After moving into a new apartment, I opened up an account with Peoples. I accidentally made a payment on the previous tenant's account instead of mine. I called and was told by two representatives that they would transfer this credit to my new account, so I faxed in proof of payment from my bank and a letter asking them to transfer the credit. Whoever received this misunderstood my request and charged my account for the $197.95 that I wanted credited. I have been on the phone with Peoples for two hours and am now being told that not only will they not credit my account for the payment, they won't reverse the charge. This seems a bit inappropriate to me, as this means they are expecting me to pay them $400 for services I never received. $200 of these services was accumulated by the previous tenant, and $200 is nonexistent.

The numerous reps were rude, uninformed and at best unconcerned. I was finally told I had to pay $670 to have my services restored. I was also told my lease was invalid because my husband's name was first on the paper even though it had my signature on it as well! They had copies of my driver's ID and social security card. My landlord even talked to a manager, which told the tech to leave the service on until Friday. Her response was, "I have already turned it off. I'm not turning it back on!" The following day, I paid the total in full! Now, it will be next week until they turn my service on! I am due to have the baby on that day! Unreal! So everyday I have been calling to get my service restored quicker without any luck! My family and I are forced to buy electrical heaters or stay in a cold home and order take out for the next week!

I scheduled a "change of service" appointment for my move. People's Gas sent a technician; however, the tech did not follow through with the appointment. My landlord's representative was onsite at the appointed time and received no calls at the time. When I called to complain that their guy didn't actually show up, People's Gas claimed they did nothing wrong and wouldn't grant me a new appointment until the following week, after our move. As a result of the service failure, my fiancee and I are without heat in our new apartment for five days.

I have paid my bill when I was active duty (army) and they still reported me 30 days late on my credit file. The customer service agent cannot tell me why exactly. It has impacted my credit score. I need help with this issue, they are paid in full. Credit report has dropped 30 points because of this and this is the only negative rate I have.

Peoples Gas is requesting and keeping on file images of driver licenses and social security cards when opening new accounts for people whose credit reports note they are victims of ID theft. Peoples Gas is not offering to review these copies and destroy the documents, but instead to keep the images in perpetuity on its customer database servers.

While this seems well intentioned, it is breaches of commercial data servers like Peoples Gas' systems that led to mass ID theft in the first place (TJ Maxx, Mellon Bank, Countrywide -- the list goes on and on). Keeping these documents is an invasion of privacy, a huge liability and an unnecessary practice that should be illegal.

Damages from continued fraud through misuse of my drivers license and social security card being kept on Peoples Gas servers could be incalculable. No IT system is impervious to hacking and no employee work force is immune to the temptation to sell customer data. I ask that Consumer Affairs attorneys look into the legality of this practice immediately and help intervene on behalf of Illinois consumers.

I paid my outstanding gas bill on Wednesday, November 11th. My services needed to be restored and I was given the date of Saturday, November 14th between 11:30am - 3:30pm. I told the representative that the technician would need to knock on the door and that we have a dog. The technician showed up to my home at 1:00pm to restore our gas. He heard one of my dogs bark (the dog was on our enclosed back porch in her kennel, behind a door). The technician said he would not turn on the gas with a dog in the house. We advised him that the dog was secure. The technician left without turning on the gas.

I called People's Gas to report the problem immediately so they could send someone out that was not afraid of animals. I was told that the technicians stopped working at 3:00pm and no one could come back out to my home. I also asked to speak with a manager and was told their was not a manager on duty. I would have to wait until Tuesday, November 17th to get my gas turned on. I feel this was unfair because we were home and made the representative aware of the dogs ahead of time. I feel the technicial just didn't want to do his job. His attitude upon arrival was poor. He didn't even tell us he was leaving we had to chase behind him to find out what was going on.

I have had problems with this JOKE of a company since I've moved back to Chicago. They ruined my credit back in 2008 and are at it again. Most recent garbage: I moved from the 2nd flr to the 1st in my buiding. They first wanted proof that I own the building. Then they said I had an unpaid balance so they could not give me gas service. Then they said they were wrong.

Then I got a letter threatenng to report me to the credit bureaun again. Then they said, forget that letter it's wrong. Now thought all ok, got another letter that I am behind on payment and will be reported to the credit bureau. Called and got info that I have $371.00 CREDIT and to disregard this letter!

Let's see where the next aggravation will come from these people. I have M.S. and stress is NOT GOOD for me and I have never had my credit effected by any company. Prior to these idiots, I had perfect credit. Now my interest rates are higher because of his lousy company. Next place I move to, I will check first to make sure no People's Gas service.

On Sept 22,2009 a tendant in the apt buliding that I live in, gas was shut off. The next day I found out that I did not have any hot water.Called People Gas and was told that they did not shut off the hot water tank,so for me to call a plumber.The plumber clean the hot water tank and found out there is a lock on the tank.I called the gas company back on the 25th and got an appointmnent for Oct 2nd,from 7:30- 11:30 at 12:00 I called back and was told that there was an emergencies somewhere and tech will come by 3:30. At 3:45 I called back and was told that I didn't even have an appointment for today.So I explain to customer service that had open surgery done and I need hot water. Why should I have to wait 10 day for their mistake.She talk to someone in emergency service and explain the problem,she was told that this is not an emergency,if I still had cooking gas and my heat is working then I have to wait for an appointment. So now they are suppose to come on Oct 7th from 7:30 - 11:30. That will be 15 day and no hot water.I pay my bills on time every month and I get treated like this. Is there anyone who can help us little people.

I have no cooking gas and no heat for winter. They also sent me a bill for $126 for my current location and the gas is not even on yet. How can that be legal? they have not provided a service.

Gas has been disconnected failure to pay. Amount was paid within 03-04 days of disconnection based on pay date. I have now bee two weeks without gas (no cooking no hot water etc). They refused to connect Gas until 08/11/2009. Note both workers refused to provide a supervisor or manager stating they are unabvilable

On May 25 2009, I woke up to find that my gas had been shut off without any kind of disconnection notice. I am there only person living in my house and I have only turned the heat on in Dec and Jan. The other months I just used plug-in heaters. Pretty much I only use my heat for hot water and cooking, which I rarely eat at home anyways. But for the last few years my bills for each month have ranged from 150.00 to 300.00. I have contacted People's Gas numerous times to have someone come out and make sure that my lines have not been crossed.

On every occasion, the person has not showed up for the appointment. At the beginning of April 2009 my bills had gotten over 700.00 and the only thing anyone could say was that the price for gas had went up. Well in the end of April I made a payment of 350.00 leaving me with a balance of 462.00. And today on May 25 like I said my gas is shut off and when I called today I had to pay the full amount and the person would not be able to come out until June 4th to turn it back on. I mean are you serious, what do they expect people to do. I also have to pay a 150.00 deposit to have it turned back on.

What is seriously going on and why hasn't anyone been able to help us. When I called to try and get help I was told that I made to much money. I understand helping people who are in need and I am one of those people. I know a lot of people that just use the assistance programs just to not have to pay their bills and its not fair to the people out here working hard just to get by that we can't get help cause I don't have any kids and I make over 9.00 an hour. I seriously want some legal representative to contact and let me know what I can do.

I am writing to express my concerns regarding an issue I recently encounter with Peoples Gas.

In the month of January, I was not able to pay to Peoples Gas bill in full; however I made a payment covering for more than 50% of the total amount of the bill. Same thing happened in February and March; even though I did not make a payment in full, I did partially pay the bills each month. I noticed in April that Peoples Gas started to charge my account for $46 each moth as a security deposit. There was a note at the bottom of the statement which I did not notice until after the 4th moth they charged me saying that this amount was charged to my account as a security deposit and I will not get this money back until after the 12 moth I paid them my bill on time.

I am a very busy woman and make my bill payments via automatic payments set up trough my banking checking account. I did not noticed the charges nor the note on the bottom of the statement (I found out this after I called them with questions regarding this charges) and when I did pay attention and questioned the charges, this powerful company refuses to give me my money back even though I am up to date with my payments to them.

i moved into this apartment on march 6th. when i tried to transfer the gas into my name i was told that gas had already been used on the premises prior to my move in date. they gave me a huge run-around, treating me like a criminal the whole time. finally i was told to send in a copy of my lease, which i did. that was supposed to end the problem.

yesterday i received my first gas bill which is for nearly $200!! i only use gas to heat my water- no heat, no stove. clearly these bastards are sticking me with the outstanding bill from before i lived here. spoke to several rude peoples gas representatives and was eventually told that a supervisor would be contacting me within 24 hours. it's been closer to 50 now and nothing so far, as i expected. i have no problem paying my own bill but i will not pay for someone elses gas! sadly, i know that these huge companies can do whatever they want, whenever they want and eventually they'll get their pound of flesh from whoever is around to stick the knife into.

unfairly being stuck with someone elses gas bill.

They are not only so qucik to charge you fees you have never even know existed once you had cancelled the gas bill over 5 months ago but then when you want to call them and speak with them they give an automated message saying all representatives are busy pls call us back. then it just finishes with annoying ring and disconnects. You cant even get through with them but they have all the time to call you with automated machines asking you to call them.

Because of all this trouble I cant verify how much the bill i need to pay is, why they are charging me when the last one was payed and i cancelled their service 5 months ago. All i get is an automated messaging saying they will put me in collections and i cant get through to them at all. Its fustrating and I dont want to be charged extra because i cant reach them and they have poor service.

I am the landlord for said property Chicago, IL 60620. I had request 2 additional meters in August therefore I had to get the bills in my name. A tenant moved in October 1, 2008 and was given a year lease. She did not call Peoples Gas until December 5, 2008 and the rep that took the call did not ask for a lease as they did with all the other tenants. I paid the bill from date of service until October 1, 2008 which I thought was the final bill. Now they are trying to stick me with a bill from Oct 1,2008 until Dec. 4, 2008 for $242.84. I should not have to pay for someone else services. People Gas told me I should have transferred the service to her name. You can't just call in and give some one name for new service, that would be fraud. They do have a copy of her lease on her file.

This bill is having a negative impact on my credit. I am trying to refinance my home.

People's gas have reported incorrect information in my credit record, the account they reported on my credit belongs to someone else. The names, addresses and social security numbers do not match and they refuse to correct this information. In addition, people's gas has referred this to a collection agency which is also on my report. I contacted the collection agency and they have confirmed that this is not me however this accountwas referred to them and their job is to collect the dollars. I have communicated via email with people's gas customer service but to no avail.

This has affected my ability to obtain credit and it has damaged my credit scores.

So this morning I woke up to find my heat was shut off. Today's high is 22 degrees, with a wind chill near 0. A few days prior a former roommate had requested to change his account to a new apartment and our currents apartment service over to us. The People's gas person that was to show up never rang the buzzer or called. They simply shut the gas off, with sub freezing temps.

Upon calling peoples I was told that it would take 4 days for someone to turn it on, and there was no way they could have someone do it today, even though it is below freezing out and the heat was NEVER supposed to be cut off. I asked if they could contact someone that may be on a call in the are, but they said they couldn't do that. I then spoke to the manager that said the same thing and was incredibly rude and would not listen. Her name was Suzanne, employee ID 13928.

Chicago law states that an apartment needs to be 68 degrees minimum from Sept 15th - June 1st. I told them that cutting the heat is illegal especially when we did not request the heat be cut off, but transferred. We have paid bills in a timely fashion, and still were treated horribly. This is absolutely wrong and they make no effort to fix their wrongs and placed the blame on us. What can I do from a legal standpoint. This is ethically irresponsible and just plain wrong.

My wife recently paid the gas bill,the following week our gas is cut off. Peoples Gas reasons for disconnecting our service was the new neighbors claiming they gave the wrong apartment gas. My wife calls People Gas to explain the mistake they made and they tells her we have to what FOUR DAYS for service to be restored.

First of all it wasn't our mistake so why do we have to wait FOUR DAYS? Second of all I have a 2 year old with Cronic Asthma that haves reactions in cold weather. I called Peoples Gas to get a better answer and got basically hung up on.

I'm being suied for a bill that is not mine. The location is an address that i've never lived at and services I never authorized.

Reported to credit Agencies.

I'm been told that I will be suied for an invoice for an address that i've never lived and services I never requested.

Bad credit report, possible law suit.

i called a rep they said they had to charge me 90 dollars for them to correct the problem. they charged me 800 dollar for a bill they espimated

they might have to cut my gas off because i am on a fixed income this is insane 800 dollars for a one month gas bill

i called a rep they said they had to charge me 90 dollars for them to correct the problem. they charged me 800 dollar for a bill they espimated

they might have to cut my gas off because i am on a fixed income. this is insane. 800 dollars for a one month gas bill

In October 2006 my brother past away who lived with my mother in her house, that past in October 2005. I then inherited the house at 3321 N. Drake, Chgo,IL. and I had called Peoples Gas at the time and reported the passing of my brother. They wiped his balance clean and started me off fresh with the bill now in my name.

In january 2007 I received a bill for that address for 229.?? and I sent in a check with the account number on it. The account number on the bill that I put on the check turned out to be my brothers whose account was closed two months prior so the money never got posted to my account. When I called to inquire they told me to send in all the paperwork to the department that handles that and they will send me a refund check. They then sent me a check of 143.?? and said they applied the rest to my brothers balance which I was not responsible for and had the account already closed. I then had a tenant move into the apartment at 3321 N. Drake and she was suppose to have the bill transfered into her name. I have a receipt from them sent to her saying thank you for your deposit in March, which is when she said she did this, And the money was taken from her checking account only they never took the bill out of my name.

In July of 2007 my gas at my residence was shut off for a 950.00 bill due for xxxx N. Drake where my renter was responsible for the bill. Since People's Gas never took it out of my name, they shut my gas off where I live on East River Rd instead of where the bill was owed for at N. Drake.

I had to pay 950.00 that day to have my gas turned back on which I did and never got the money back from my tenant and they couldn't come out for 6 days to turn it back on. When they finally did the meter number that was on my current bill did not match the meter that was shut off, but since I was the only one without gas the tech called it in and said he was still turning it back on.

Four months later they told me I owed them 600.00 more from the previous year, because my line was crossed with some else's, which is again was not my fault. When I asked how they determined that they said they have a device on the box that calculates the usage. I then asked if that was true, why did it take them four months to come to 600.00. They should have been able to determine that right away. So I then went on a payment plan to pay this off. In September I made my payment online with my debit card, which I have a printed receipt saying payment successfully went through and has an authorization ID number.

I received a letter from them stating the check for that payment went back to them NSF. I called the bank and they said that was impossible and also informed me that when they changed from LaSalle Bank to Bank of America they gave me a new routing number for online payments and they would send me a letter stating that to send to them so they don't mark me as paying with a bad check. I called them last week to resolve this and the lady I spoke with said that when I made my payment I clicked pay by check, but entered my debit card number. I didn't know I clicked pay by check and said if that was the case the computer should have said wrong info entered,not given me a receipt saying transactiion went through successfully. She then said she couldn't take the bad check mark off my account, but she would put me back on my payment plan that they took me off of.

Then on 10/29 at 7pm I get a call from People's Gas message system saying if I don't make a payment in 5 days of 111.?? I will be disconnected. So I made that payment over the phone that night.

Today, 11/18 I got a disconnection notice in the mail from them saying if I didn't pay the balance on my account of 433.?? I would be disconnected. When I called back today I talked to a supervisor and he admitted the computer was in error to say the transaction went through, but it was my fault for clicking the wrong payment and there was nothing he could do. He said I had to pay in full or he would put me on another payment plan, but for more money. I asked to speak to a manager, and he would not put my call through. Everyone makes errors, but if I clicked the wrong payment then the computer should have said wrong info so I could have corrected it at the time of the transaction or contact me right away to correct the error.

I have been treated so bad by this company. I have never went through anything like this with anyone in my life. You can't walk into a payment center to resolve any issues, because they closed them all. When you try to take care of something over the phone your put on hold forever hung up on or when you finally get someone they can't do anything for you. I think their customer service is the worse I've ever dealt with. Most of them are rude and don't care.

Not only has this cause me stress with everything I've been dealing with the last two years with the loss of my family, but I have missed work over this. I can see them not being cooperative with people who don't want to pay, but people who do pay their bills should not be treated so rudely. Im a manager at a major company and I will tell you I would never handle a situation like this the way they did with any of our customers. I have a receipt from them saying the transaction went through successfully, but then Im the one that gets penalized for the error. Not only this one, but all the other one's they made in the past. I just keep paying them for their mistakes, which I refuse to continue to do.

I then called around 12 asking why noone had showed to repair, then was informed that we need to set-up appointment and that we didn't have on. I was shocked since I had done so. I then once agian requested an appointment was given a date for 11-13-08 and of course no show. I called this same day and was told that they would come out, it's 11-14-08 and still haven't had any lucky with having someone come out. My tenants have small childern and I wouldn't blame them if they want to move after this MESS! Peoples Gas have no skill when it comes to customer service. I find them to be very rude and unpleasnt to deal with.

I will end up losing good tenants and income that I need to keep my property and not to mention that i can't rent my other apartment until this is repaired.

Geez, This company is something else. You get a different answer everytime you talk to someone different and they couldn't care less about your situation or circumstances. I was disconnected august 30, 2008 and I went and applied at LIHEAP in October since I obviously could not pay this bill myself.

They paid all but 126.00 and I was sent a notice saying if I made a Good Faith Effort payment that the ball would start rolling. Now before any of the liheap stuff came about. i got a drs. note that stated that my grandson was an acute asthmatic and needed the gas on do to his ongoing illness. I faxed it over to them and they kept conveniently losing it until enough time passed and it was too late to keep submitting it.Now that brings me to the present where there is a bill for 126.00 which I cannot pay because of becoming a widow recently. They said no way will they turn it on!

I went to the Ill. Commerce Commission who says I dont have to pay it just wait for a letter giving the turn on date. peoples gas says don't expect any such letter. It would be one thing if they were all consistent with their stories but the story changes by the hour depending who you speak to and none of them have the sense God gave them at birth. Sometimes after a long day at work and cleaning houses I just don't have the strength to deal with them.

I believe their M.O. is to wear you down to the point where theres so much confusion surrounding the original issue that one just gives up. CSRs Managers and the like, none of them give two hoots in hell what we are going thru as long as they go home to their nice cozy warm house. They are not worth a hill of beans none of them.

the consequences are my daughter had to move my grandson and her by her dads house 31 miles from his school and I am having breathing difficulties because I am asthmatic.

They just could not grasp the concept that they had made the mistake and shut my gas off a week early. The customer service person put me on hold for at least 25 minutes when I called. This person told me that in order to get my gas back on I would have to start a new application. I told her again that peoples gas turned off my gas in error. She said that I requested the gas be turned off that day. I told no I did not, that thy made a mistake.

The person that I spoke to transfered me to a supervisor named Michelle. This person was so unhelpful, that I question if she was truly a supervisor. Michelle informed me that she couldn't do anything and that someone else would have to review my call to see if I was telling the truth. The call could not be reviewed until Monday. I asked why I was being punished for their error and forced to go a weekend without heat with a baby in the house. Michelle did not care. She hung up on me.

My husband then called them and he was told that maybe they could schedule someone to come out in two weeks and turn the gas back on. Again he pointed out that this was their mistake and we have a baby in the house. They didn't care.

This went on for the whole weekend and I was forced to leave town with the baby because there was no heat, no hot water and not cooking gas. Every time my usband spoke to someone at Peoples Gas, it was a different answer every time. He was told to call on Sunday, and when he did the place was closed.

On Monday, he called again, and they said if it was their mistake then they would send someone out that day. He was put on hold and told someone would be out that day. We took that as an admission of guilt. I then called to make sure that they were not jerking us around and I was told by Steven that someone would be out in two to four hours. I told him I was 100 miles away and needed time to drive home with the baby. He said no problem.

My husband then calls me 15 minutes later to tell me that the gas guy is there and he can't get in. He says to call emergency services. I call and the lady tells me that it will be some time in the next 24 hours when they come. I tell her that due to their error they need to out there that day. She tells me 24 hours. So, I have to drive back to Chicago, with the baby, and take a chance on if they are or are not coming. As I am driving back, I get a call that the gas guy is once again there. He told me to call emergency services again. I call them again and they tell me that one will be there some time that day.

The man comes again and we finally get our gas turned back on.

We had to drive to Milwaukee to stay with my parents, so gas money to and from Milwaukee.

We are moving my wife and six-month old son this weekend. I am away on business and my wife handled the utilities. Having never lived in a place that required gas as a tenant, she forgot about it. As a result, she could not get an appointment to turn the gas on until a few days after our move-in.

If it were just the adults, this would not be a problem. This, however, will leave our new baby without heat for at least two nights -- assuming everything goes as planned on the appointment date. So, I called People's Gas at their consumer services department. I figured that people make mistakes from time to time and their must be some way to work out a solution. I also figured that I would have give something in return.

Much to my surprise, I was stonewalled.

I spoke with my first customer service agent, and was told that there was nothing that could be done. She was certainly sorry for my situation and that she understood that a baby needs extra attention and heat. She could not, however, reschedule any appointments. She also could not let me speak with a supervisor. She did, however, suggest that I contact someone in emergency services.

I called that number and spoke with Tanya. Tanya questioned why I was calling her. I started to explain, but she cut me off saying that I did not have a leak or explosion. I explained that I was, in fact, referred to her office by customer service, after which she finally allowed me to finish. She also said that she was very sorry for my problem and that she understood. Still, she could not help me because it was not her office's job.

Next, I thought I might try customer service again and see if I could get a different person and different answer.

This time I spoke with Shawna.

She stated that everything was computer generated and that she could not help me. I asked if there was a number to contact the servicemen who respond to the computer generated request. The answer was No. I asked if any human beings were involved in the process who might be capable of working with me on the problem. The answer was: We are all human beings. Of course, they still would not help. Instead, I got more BS about how much they empathize with my position.

I then asked to speak with a supervisor. I was put on hold for a long period of time and then spoke with Keisha. I have no idea if she really was supervisor, but the following suggests to me that this is impossible. I explained my situation and then asked if there were some way for me work on a solution with the utility. Her response still confuses me. She stated, As a leader on the floor of customer service, she cannot make that call. I get this all the time, people claiming that they have a baby, an elderly person, or a kid coming home on a ventilator. We just can't help those people. Some leader.

I need my gas turned on so my son does not get cold during the night.

I think my fellow tenants and myself should be compensated for this inconvenience. I have also attempted to contact the President of Peoples Gas. I have contacted my Alderman and the Attorney Generals Office. Today is Friday and I still do not have hot water!

Twice People's Gas has come out to turn my gas back on, after they turned it off over a misunderstanding, despite my apt. janitor's pleas to call me rather than just turn it off. Both times, I have been sitting in my house during the appropriate hours with my cell phone on. The tech never shows, I call People's Gas to ask where they are, they say they came and called but got no response. They reschedule for days later and refuse to get someone back out to my place the same day.

They are insufferable and ridiculous, and I cannot go to another company because there is no competition. People's Gas has the worst customer service I have ever dealt with.

A quick comment on People's Gas. I decided to go on a budget plan and my monthly bills started going up and up each month. I finally made the decision to stop the budget plan to see if they would go back down again and I was immediately hit with a $350 bill! I am taking into consideration that energy prices have gone up but I went back through my records from my June to June of the previous year (these are the months they average the bills) and my average was $111.

I was paying $170 for 4 months in a row before I decided to terminate the budget plan...then to be hit with a $350 bill because they say that I terminated the plan at a time where I had used more energy than I paid for? There is something very fishy here....

I sold a 3 flat in 2002. I received calls from People's Gas last year, I faxed the closing statement, also my Real Estate Attorney faxed a statement stating I no longer own this property. August 2008, I'm receiving calls again from People's Gas about the same propety which I have not owned for six years. My Attorney's assistance Stacey, has varified that the documents were faxed and received verification that the fax did indeed go through.

My credit is being effected by this and we have again faxed information, showing that the building was sold along with the buyer's name. It still has not been rectified to my knowledge and there is an outstanding bill of $1,300 from this year 08.

Credit report damaged, it's causing me a lot of stress still having to deal with this problem. It is effecting my credibility and credit report.

They are over charging and is steadily raising my so called budget plan, this was sick the bills came from 89.00 to 120.00 monthly. I am steadily paying on time and more than too much.

They are draining my economically out.

I don't understand People's Energy/Gas Budget Plan. People's Energy/Gas offers to customers this budget plan to make energy costs affordable. however, after a few months the budget amount changes and I have to pay more. My budget amount change from $122.00 to $153.00; that's a $31.00 difference. that's a big difference to a one income household.

I am constantly adjusting my household finances around People's Energy/Gas budget plan.

Peoples Gas is the worst company I have ever dealt with in my whole life. I can afford heat and have a credit card to pay a heating bill. However, I have found it impossible to find anyone to turn back on my gas. They can't even tell me when (or if) they shut my gas off (it is possible there is a mechanical problem in my apartment). I have spent many hours on the phone with the 'consumer care' clowns, and the enrollment department doesn't even pick up the phone after having been on hold for well over three hours.

Im just cold but if I was old or a baby, I think this would be really dangerous. I'm a healthy 22 year old male but I can only imagine if I wasn't...

1) i have been paying on the budget. I do not use gas in the summer and by winter, I have a credit of at least 400/300 dollars. This year I have no credit, I do not use gas in summer. 11/5/07 I went downstairs and smelled gas. The gas company came out and said it would cost me $90/ to lite the pilot.

I said if I was safe then I could not afford the $90/ They then disconnected the entire system. I was just worried about the gas smell because I was having problems with my furance. I can supply witnesses. I called Brian at Peoples Gas # 99477 and asked him why the tech was still here, if there was a problem would I still be charged the $90/ He would not answer my question. I asked several times, you should check the recorded response. he just said he had to hang up and them informed me to get a plumber to reconnect my hot water.

How can this be when I spend so much money on my gas bill. I am on disability and cannot afford a pumber. At least before he disconnected my entire system I could have tried to lite my water heater, knowing it was safe. I can't afford a plumber. I am paying over $183.00 a month on budget, which I think is way to much. I don't have air conditioning or a gas stove.

I think I am being taken advantage of and now they disconnect my entire hot water system, when I just wanted to make sure my daughter and I were safe.

This is a sin and hould be stopped.

On August 7th, 2007, I had an appointment with Peoples Gas to provide 2 gas meters for a 2-flat that I recently purchased at 2532 N. Francisco, Chicago Illinois 60647. The building already has one gas meter for the 1st floor and 3 brand new top of the line gas furnaces with brand new piping to connect to the meters.

When the gas company arrived on August 7th, the gas technicians called for a supervisor because they said that there was not a lot of room to work. A gas supervisor, Al V, arrived to the house and informed my husband, Jose, that the gas meters have to be installed outside of the house and that we would have to pay for that construction.

On August 13th, the gas company placed a contract for pipe work dated 8/13/2007 in my mailbox at 2532 N. Francisco which was issued by Albert V, describing the work to be done as med pressure riser in place and build a new 3 meter header, for a cost of $1736.00. An attachment stated that we must fax the contract to 773-282-8054 and 312-373-4023 and also noted instructions to pay by credit card, which was to be made three business days after faxing the executed contract.

On August 13th, I immediately faxed the contract to the above two numbers with confirmation sheets verifying that the faxes were successfully sent. On August 18th, I paid $1,736.00 by credit card over the phone and was also charged a service fee of $11.85. This credit is reflected on my account with Peoples Gas. My appointment for this gas service was scheduled for Aug 22nd.

On August 22nd, a gas technician came to my house and stated that he was not equipped to install the meters. He advised me to call back the gas company, even after I told him that I have no gas in the house. After he left, I called the gas company again asking for help. The gas representative was extremely rude, stating that my appointment is for August 28th and that she will not change it. She then said that the gas technician at the house today was there to conduct a safety inspection, even though I had never ordered this. I then reiterated that I do not have gas in the building and I need someone to come out sooner, as I had tenants moving to the 2nd floor on August 24th and I planned on moving to the 1st floor on August 27th.

I then asked her to connect me to a supervisor due to the urgency of the matter. She basically said no, asked me for a contact number and in a mocking manner because I then began to cry, said a supervisor would get back to me in three days and then hung up the phone. I then called back and asked if I could come to an office to speak to someone in person and was told that Peoples Gas does not have any customer service offices, and that everything must be done either by phone, on-line or regular mail.

I then explained the situation again, was given another number to call which kicked me back to the main customer service line. After I called the number several more times, I spoke to another representative who said that when the Gas employees in contracts/construction are closed, the number will automatically kick back to the main line. After wasting over one hour, I then was told to call back the following day.

When I called the following day on August 23rd, the gas representative told me that they cannot schedule an appointment for me sooner than August 28th, despite the fact that I told them tenants were moving in on August 24th and that I had no gas in the entire building.

In the interim, I had tenants lined up to rent my apartment beginning August 28th at 5010 W. Montrose for $1250 per month. Due to the gas problem, I informed these prospective tenants that I cannot move out on the scheduled date, which resulted in them renting someplace else.

On August 28th, a gas technician arrived approximately at 11:30 AM, however, he also was not equipped to do the work that was required. He tried calling a supervisor about three times with negative results. He then said that all the supervisors were at a meeting and to re-contact the gas company.

After the technician left, I called the gas company again, begging for help and explaining that I have tenants in the building since August 24th with no gas for cooking or hot water with which to wash plates, dry clothes or shower. I then asked for someone to come out to at least connect the 2nd floor to the one existing gas meter in the house. In the alternative, I asked for either the 1st floor or basement to be connected so at least my tenants could use the gas on that respective floor until the new meters are installed. After making this request, I was told by the gas representative that she cannot schedule anyone else to come out that day but advised me to contact the emergency number. I then called the emergency number and was told to wait at the building as they were going to dispatch a crew.

My husband and I waited until after 9:00 PM for the emergency crew to arrive. Although the emergency technicians were very professional and helpful, they also stated that they are not equipped to service the type of work that is needed, as they handle emergencies only. However, one technician named Rueben advised us to re-contact the gas company, ask for a supervisor, and specifically tell the representative that the pipes need to be fitted first before the meters can be connected? in order to avoid the gas company from sending out the wrong technicians. In addition, he said that he would indicate in his notes what was needed to avoid further problems.

It also should be noted that when I told Rueben that a gas supervisor was already at the house back on the 7th of August, he was quite surprised and also perplexed as to why the meters werent installed at that time. He surmised that it was probably due to not having enough elbow room to work comfortably in the allotted space. Although it may not be the case, I could not help but feel at that moment that I was being charged $1736.00 to make the gas technicians jobs easier.

I then asked Rueben to either connect the 2nd floor to the existing meter or at least connect the 1st floor so my tenants would have a shower and stove to use. In response, Rueben examined the meter again and at that time noticed there was only one pipe connected to the existing meter and that the other pipe could not be connected because it also needs to be fitted. He then put a lock on the gas stating that the unconnected pipe could be dangerous. This was very surprising to me as there were already a number of gas technicians out to the house who did not notice this hazard, including one who did a so called safety inspection.

On the following morning at approximately 8:05 AM on August 29th, I called the gas company yet again and spoke to a representative named Maria, (312) 240-4000, who worked in the contract/construction section. I informed her about what was going on and she said that Ruebens notes were in my file and that I should wait at the house as she is trying to send out a crew. When I asked Maria to give me an approximation as when the gas technicians would be out, especially after waiting over 10 hours the day before and because I needed to pick up my son at school later in the day, she told me you just have to wait.? I then left her with my cell phone number and my husbands cell phone number in case she needed to contact us and proceeded to the building, arriving at 8:30 AM.

At approximately 2:00 PM, I became concerned that no one was going to show up. I called my husband out of work so that he could pick up our son at school. I called the gas company again and spoke to an extremely nice representative whose name I understood to be Tammie, who informed me that there is a notation in my file stating that the work is scheduled for August 31st and that no service was ordered today. I broke down and started crying, telling her that Maria told me to wait at the house, which I had been doing since 8:30 in the morning for the gas company, who apparently never had any intentions of doing the work that day. At that point, I actually began feeling light headed and my whole body became warm.

Being sympathetic to this ordeal, the representative told me to remain on hold while she attempted to contact a supervisor in an effort to get someone out sooner. Finally, I was told that a supervisor would be contacting me and that the gas company would not be coming out that day.

After waiting about 2 hours for a supervisor to call me, I called back the gas company and spoke to someone who identified herself as Rochelle. After explaining the ordeal, Rochelle gave me the cell number of gas supervisor, Al V as 773- 491- 9872 and office number of 773-794-6848. However, before I began dialing his number, Mr. Victorine called me at approximately 4:30 PM.

Mr. V said that he would try to get out there the following day, August 30th but assured me that he would be out no later than August 31st.

After I explained the urgency of the matter, Mr. Victorine insisted that I did in fact have gas service in the building. I again told him that there was no gas service in the building, and in addition, Rueben put a lock on the service because he found an unsafe condition. Mr. Victorine was surprised by this and told me that he would contact Rueben to find out what was going on.

A short time later, Mr. V called me back and accused my husband of detaching the pipe from the meter, claiming it was not like that when he was at my house several weeks ago. I told him that neither my husband nor anyone else did anything to the pipes and that it would belie common sense for us to touch the pipes after paying the gas company $1736.00 to do the work. I asked him to please come to the house to see for himself that nothing was changed from when he was last there.

Mr. V then said that I will need a plumber to come out after the meters are installed outside because the gas company does not do any interior work. Mr. Victorine further claimed that he had already informed my husband of this. Please also note that the gas company provided free of charge, including interior work to connect the piping, the installation of outside gas meters to residences in my area. My brother-in-law, Francisco, was a recipient of this free service, the same work that the gas company has charged me $1736 but has yet to do.

The following day, August 30th, I waited from 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM for the gas company to come out. Needless to say, the gas company did not have the courtesy of calling to let me know that they were not coming out. It was another day unnecessarily wasted, but I was comforted by the fact that this ordeal will come to an end the following day because not only was I on the schedule for August 31st, but also Mr. V assured me that they would be out no later than August 31st.

On August 31st, I went to the building at 8:00 AM to await the gas company. I also had a contractor who agreed to do the interior work once the gas company finished installing the meters outside. When the gas company did not arrive by 2:00 PM, I grew very concerned. I then called Mr. Victorine on both his cell and work number only to get his voice mail. I left him messages that I was waiting at the house from 8:00AM and that I have a contractor who is ready to come in to do the work once the gas technicians finish. I then called the gas companys main number and was told by a representative that my appointment was rescheduled for Sept 4th. That is why I am now asking for your help.

In addition, shortly after speaking to the gas company on August 31st, I called Alderman Ocasios office, explaining that my tenants have no gas as well as the ordeal that I have been going through with the gas company. Ald. Ocasios office stated that they would forward my complaint to their liaison who works with the gas company. As of yet, I have not heard back from the liaison, probably because I called after 2:00 PM on a weekend holiday. However, unlike the gas company, I do anticipate the liaison getting back to me. The fact that the aldermans office has a liaison to deal with the gas company tells me that I must not be the only one who has been mistreated by Peoples Gas. Although I never ever gave it much thought before, now I have firsthand understanding of the danger of monopolies.

In addition to the $1736.00, the gas company has cost me numerous hours in waiting, costs of having to take time off from my job, loss of a prospective tenants at 5010 W. Montrose as well as the inconvenience of not being able to move. The ordeal created unnecessary stress which literally caused my blood pressure to rise. But most severely, it is causing a great inconvenience to my tenants who were without gas since August 24th. Also note that I have not collected any rental income from these tenants since August 24th and now stand to lose not only rental income for the month of September but also the likelihood of the tenants breaking the lease because they cannot stand to take anymore cold showers or impose on their friends for bare necessities.

Please note that my husband and I are willing to sign any affidavits under punishment of perjury regarding these facts. In addition, most of the calls that I have made to the gas company were with my cell phone and once I get the itemized bill, I can send it to you as added documentation.

Any help you can give me in getting gas service and in preventing the gas company from treating other people as poorly as they have treated me would be greatly appreciated.

I have requested during several phone calls between 2/7 and 4/4/2006 to Peoples Energy with no resolution for you to stop billing me for an apartment that I never lived in and never had service in my name to.

As I told Stacey E the supervisor at your facility. I never lived on the 3rd floor and am not willing to pay this bill that you are charging me for the 3rd floor. My apartment was on the 2nd floor. If indeed this meter number that you are charging me for is for the 3rd floor apartment, then I have been paying someone elses bill. And, if this is the case, I want to see the records of what I should have been billed while living on the 2nd floor.

I was supposed to receive a response from your company after straightening this out on your end, but instead I continue to receive a past due bill.

I will not pay this bill as it is for a unit I did not live in and did not request service for.

I demand that you retract anything derogatory that may have been reported to the credit bureaus regarding this bill which is apparently not mine and contact me with a resolution to this issue.