Cancer Survivor's Energy Bill Resolved After Utility Mix-Up

Cancer Diagnosis and Financial Hardship

• 🎗️ Theresa Jansen was diagnosed with colon cancer in February 2023, a disease that also claimed her father and both of his parents.
• 🏥 Early detection through a colonoscopy aided her fight, but the battle forced her to leave her job as a dental office manager and move in with her mother.

Utility Billing Issues

• 🏠 Before moving out of her Hemstead apartment in August 2023, Jansen contacted utilities, including National Grid, to close her gas account and paid off a small balance of $67.
• 📈 Months later, she began receiving bills for an apartment she no longer lived in, with the amount escalating from $88 to $708.
• ✉️ Jansen repeatedly sent bills back with letters, channeling her father's advice to stand up for herself, fearing the debt would go into collections.

Resolution with National Grid

• 📰 7 On Your Side contacted National Grid, providing evidence that Jansen no longer resided at the old address.
• ✅ The utility company resolved the issue the same day, and within a week, Jansen's gas account was completely wiped clean and closed.
• 💡 National Grid reminded customers to notify them when relocating to cancel existing accounts and schedule service disconnection to avoid being billed for future tenants' usage.

Positive Outcome

• 🎉 Jansen celebrated her colon cancer remission and a zero balance on her utility bill, expressing gratitude to 7 On Your Side for their help.