DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) — A Durham woman was frustrated for months after winning a judgment in small claims court; she still couldn’t get her money.
It all started when Iris Egan opened her January 2025 power bill from Duke Energy. She was stunned when she saw the $599 bill for one month of electricity.
“I’ve never had a bill more than $248 any place I’ve lived in Durham,” Egan said. “My eyes popped out of my head, and I said something. You know, there’s something wrong.”
Egan said she immediately contacted Duke Energy but was told the bill was accurate and that the issue could be on her end.
She said she had a technician check it out.
“My HVAC guy was here and checked everything and told me everything is absolutely fine,” Egan said.
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Still convinced something wasn’t right, Egan said she continued disputing the bill.
“Multiple phone calls, multiple letters, multiple emails, and to no avail. Absolutely to no avail. So, I went to small claims court,” she said.
According to Egan, no one from Duke Energy appeared in court. The judge ruled in her favor, awarding her more than $500.
However, winning the judgment didn’t mean getting paid.
Egan said she even paid additional fees in an attempt to collect the money, but still received nothing. Frustrated, she reached out to Troubleshooter Diane Wilson for help.
“Within five minutes, you responded. I said, ‘Oh, my God, somebody is hearing me,'” she told the Troubleshooter.
After Wilson brought the situation to Duke Energy’s attention, Egan said she received a $575 check from the company within a week.
“Within that week, I got my check, and I don’t know what to say other than thank you so much for caring enough for the little people, you know, against the big guys and helping us,” Egan said to Wilson.
A representative for Duke Energy said the company encourages customers to reach out if they have questions about their bill and noted that they have resources available to review usage and billing concerns.
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