Gas guzzler

A Chicago Sun-Times reporter was surprised when her monthly natural gas bill -- usually around $30 -- suddenly jumped to $27,933.55.

Michelle Stevens wrote in the newspaper that Peoples Gas billed her for $27,497.08 for gas use plus a $404.60 late fee and current charge of $31.87 -- which is close to the amount of her previous bills.

A gas company meter reader apparently found the meter set at 00000 on Sept. 7 and the company assumed Stevens had consumed so much gas, the gauge rolled over to the beginning, a representative told Stevens.

The representative said she made a note Stevens was disputing the charge and a new reading was scheduled for Nov. 18.