You may recall yesterday's article where I mentioned that I was having some home equity loan issues.

Last month, I received a notice from my bank that my home equity loan was due in full. Basically, it just looked like every other monthly bill, but the amount due was the full amount. I don't typically keep that kind of cash in my wallet, so I called Jim who had originally set up my loan but was now the branch manager.

The branch manager informed me that it was in error - that home equity lines are supposed to be reviewed internally by the bank each year and then automatically have the maturity date pushed back another year. Something happened that mine slipped through and he would take care of it.

This month I got a late notice stating (even though I made my normal payment before the last bill was "due") I was behind, demanding the full payment plus penalties. Oh, it did show the maturity date of December of 2009, however.

This time I went into the branch and explained what had happened the previous month and showed the teller the latest notice. She said "I'll call Jim and we'll get it taken care of," and then looked at me as if expecting me to leave.

"I'll wait," I smiled.

Jim confirmed that the new notice was also in error and that he would have a loan officer investigate and fix things.

We'll see.

My phone bill is automatically billed to my credit card, and I have unlimited long distance, so I rarely ever even open the bill when I get it. Last month I almost had an issue with my home equity loan because I didn't look at the bills so on a whim opened this Verizon bill and looked at each line...

Near the end of the bill was $12.95 for "EscalateISP.COM Silver Pack". I immediately called Verizon and was told since they are a local provider that they have to allow anyone who feels like it to add things to my bill. Apparently in October escalateisp.com web hosting started billing my Verizon phone account for a hosting pack. A hosting pack that I don't have and never authorized.

So, boys and girls, in today's age of automatic debits and credits, don't forget to look at the occasional statement or bill. You might find yourself surprised.

A quick call to Verizon billing department was all that was needed to file a chargeback apparently for everything billed currently and to get the monthly charge off my bill.

I hope.

She happened to comment "It may have even been a pop-up or a virus."

I explained "Not on my network. We run Linux and my network is probably tighter than yours."

She also examined my bundle and found another $15 a month she could save me by changing my deal since I don't use three way calling or call forwarding. She also asked "When you got your Internet line did you get our 30 days free of virus and spam protection"

I explained "We run Linux."

"Right, but did you get the..."

I cut her off "We don't run Windows so it wouldn't work here."

"Oh, you don't run that. Ok." You could hear the confusion through her very polite voice.