Van Nuys Resident Stunned by $13,000 Utility Bill
Van Nuys Resident Faces Shocking $13,000 Utility Bill Due to Address Mix-Up
LOS ANGELES – Will Ventres, a resident of Van Nuys, was taken aback when he received a utility bill from the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) for over $13,000 earlier this year. Despite notifying the agency of his new address two years prior, bills had been incorrectly sent to a different location.
"I thought it was a hoax," Ventres remarked, recalling his initial disbelief at the staggering amount.
Ventres had consistently reached out to LADWP since his move in 2020, but he was repeatedly informed that issues stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic were hindering the resolution of his billing problems. Uncertainty loomed as Ventres was unsure whether his landlord was handling the payments or if a moratorium was in effect. Attempts to check his account online proved futile, as he lacked the accurate account number.
Upon receiving the exorbitant bill, Ventres dedicated hours to contacting customer service. After numerous attempts, he connected with a manager who agreed to a $2,500 discount. He paid $3,000 initially, with the remainder placed on a payment plan. However, the situation worsened when his next bill reflected a new total of approximately $17,000 due to estimated charges, as Ventres was told that his water meter had not been read since 2022.
Faced with this unexpected setback, Ventres sought the assistance of attorney Timothy Blood, who had previously represented other LADWP customers in 2017. Blood noted the troubling trend of billing problems within the agency, stating, "I am not surprised," and highlighting the difficulties in resolving such long-standing issues.
Compounding Ventres’s frustration was LADWP’s policy of not back-billing for more than six years. While he was informed that this limitation applied only if no bills had been sent, Ventres pointed out that bills were indeed issued, just directed to the wrong address.
In an effort to raise awareness about his plight, Ventres shared his experience on social media, prompting numerous responses from others who reported similar issues. This has led some to explore the possibility of a class action lawsuit against LADWP.
Following media attention from FOX 11, LADWP revisited Ventres’s case and acknowledged its unique circumstances. They agreed to significantly reduce his bill. A spokesperson for the department stated, "LADWP had been investigating the unique circumstances surrounding Mr. Ventres’s billing concerns. … We thank FOX 11 for helping to escalate this issue with us leading to a resolution with our valued customer."
LADWP encourages anyone experiencing billing problems to visit their official website for assistance.
