Utility Bill Dispute Prep

Turns a surprising utility bill into a comparison sheet, meter/usage evidence checklist, provider call script, and dispute follow-up tracker.

Overview

Helps users systematically prepare to dispute an unexpectedly high utility bill (electricity, gas, water, internet, or phone). The skill structures the user's situation into a comparison sheet, usage evidence checklist, provider call script, and follow-up tracker — so the user can approach the provider with clarity instead of frustration.

When to Use

Use this skill when the user asks to:

• dispute a utility bill
• challenge an electricity/gas/water/internet/phone bill
• check if a bill looks wrong
• prepare to call the utility provider about a high charge
• track a billing dispute

Trigger keywords: utility bill dispute, bill error check, meter reading dispute, provider call script, billing discrepancy, service credit, high bill, bill too high, billing error, dispute bill

Required Inputs

• The bill in question (amount, billing period, provider name)
• One or more previous bills for comparison (if available)
• Any meter readings the user has (actual or estimated)
• Any recent changes in usage, occupancy, or service plan
• Any known outages, rate changes, or prior communication with the provider

Workflow

1. Gather bills and context. Ask the user for the disputed bill and at least one recent comparison bill. Note the provider, billing period, and total amount.
2. Build a comparison sheet. Extract key line items (base charge, usage charge, taxes/fees, credits) and compare period-over-period to flag anomalies.
3. Check usage evidence. Prompt the user to locate meter readings, usage history, and any known events (vacations, new appliances, weather extremes) that might explain or contradict the billed amount.
4. Identify likely causes. Guided by the comparison, list possible explanations: rate change, estimated vs. actual reading, deposit addition, late fee, plan change, outage credit missing, etc.
5. Draft a call script. Provide a concise provider call script with: introduction, reference numbers, calm statement of discrepancy, specific questions, and requested resolution.
6. Set up a follow-up tracker. Create a log template for recording call date, representative name, reference number, outcome, and next step.
7. Summarize and hand off. Deliver the complete packet: comparison table, evidence checklist, call script, and tracker template.

Output Format

The output includes:

1. Bill comparison table (disputed bill vs. prior bill(s))
2. Usage evidence checklist (what to locate and verify)
3. Likely causes ranked by confidence
4. Provider call script (conversation bullet points)
5. Follow-up tracker template
6. Safety notes and disclaimers

Safety & Compliance

Explicit Boundaries

• No legal or financial advice. This skill helps users organize information and communicate clearly; it does not interpret contracts, laws, or utility regulations.
• No refund guarantees. The skill cannot predict or promise any outcome from a dispute.
• No fabricated evidence. Users must rely on their official bills, meter readings, and provider records. The skill will not invent or estimate readings, usage amounts, or rates on the user's behalf.
• Provider policies control. All disputes are subject to the provider's terms, tariffs, and policies. Users should review those directly.
• No account access or impersonation. The skill does not access, log into, or interact with any utility account or system.
• No authentication data. The skill must never ask for or store passwords, account numbers, PINs, SSNs, or payment details. If the call script references an account number, use a placeholder like [YOUR ACCOUNT NUMBER].

Additional Safety Notes

• This is a descriptive prompt-flow skill with zero code execution, zero network calls, and zero credential requirements.
• Content is intended to help users organize their own information and prepare for calm, factual communication with utility providers.
• The user remains fully responsible for verifying bill accuracy, communicating with their provider, and accepting or rejecting any resolution offered.

Acceptance Criteria

1. Produces a comparison table using only user-supplied bill data.
2. Creates an evidence checklist grounded in verifiable records (official bills, meter readings).
3. Provides a call script that is calm, factual, and free of demands or legal threats.
4. Includes a follow-up tracker template with date, contact, and outcome fields.
5. Explicitly states that outcomes are not guaranteed and professional advice is not provided.
6. Never asks for or stores sensitive account credentials or payment information.

Examples

Example 1: Basic Use

User says: "My electricity bill is double what it was last month — help me dispute it."

Skill guides: Ask for the current bill amount, last month's bill, any meter readings, and any known changes. Build the comparison table, flag the anomaly, draft a call script, and provide the tracker.

Example 2: Detailed Session

User says: "I've been overcharged three months in a row by my water utility and I keep getting estimated readings."

Skill guides: Dive deeper with multiple bill comparisons, note the estimated-vs-actual pattern, and adjust the call script to focus on requesting an actual reading and billing correction.