My question involves a consumer law issue in the State of: North Carolina
I have been a resident of the town of Clayton, located in Johnston County, North Carolina for the last 5 years (60 months). In that time I have never made a late payment on my water & sewer bill. The water & sewer bill is paid directly to the town of Clayton.
I received a phone call from them last week and they told me that for the last 19 months, although I had been paying my bill on time; they didn't come by and read my water meter and I was only being charged a flat connection fee ($40.00). They said they they thought that nobody lived at my address, yet they picked up my trash and sent me my bill at that address every month.
Long story short, now they tell my that I owe them $465.00 for the passed 19 months that they 'forgot' to read the meter. They intend to charge me late fees until this amount is paid. They turned off my water yesterday, I had to call them and beg to get it turned back on. Finally, they want me to sign a payment agreement document stating that I will pay my regular bill plus an additional $75 p/month over 6 months!. Late fees are being assessed until the amount is paid, if I am late once they will disconnect my service and they will not reconnect it until the total amount is paid in full.
What should I do? Am I liable for all of this? Should I agree to these terms and sign?
Thanks in Advance!
Bill

