GREENSBORO, NC -- 2WTK viewers are experiencing sticker shock when they open their Duke Energy bills.Their power monthly bill isn't more expensive, but Duke Energy has added a deposit charge.
The deposit charge amount varies, it can be a hundred bucks or $500 or more! What's the deal?
If you've gotten three non-pay disconnect notices in a 12-month period Duke Energy automatically adds the deposit charge. The deposit charge amount will be different for every customer. It is equal to two-twelfths of the bill.
Three main points to know about this: Yes, it is legal. The North Carolina Utilities Commission lets companies do this. Duke Energy spells it out in the fine print of your bill. And, a notification letter is sent out several months before the deposit is added to your bill.
Those points may not make the charge any easier to swallow, but this information might. All deposits are returned to customers, with interest, once they establish satisfactory payment records. You have a satisfactory payment record when you don't have more than two late payments in a 12-month period.
2WTK asked Duke Energy if it was possible to pay the deposit in monthly installments, the response was, "every customer needs to call customer care and discuss options with customer care team."
And, if you're having difficulty paying your bill, call and talk to someone.
From Duke Energy:
We encourage customers who could be assessed a deposit, have been issued a deposit – and any customer who is having difficulty paying their bill – to contact our customer care team as soon as possible at 800.777.9898 and ask the representative to discuss their payment options.
We have to discuss options with each individual customer to understand their specific situation.
We're also here to answer general account-related questions and share ways to better manage energy use and costs through our energy efficiency programs (http://www.duke-energy.com/north-carolina/savings.asp). Learning how a home uses energy is key to controlling monthly energy bills. We have programs and information to help.
