7 On Your Side helps cancer survivor with energy bill mix-up

LONG ISLAND (WABC) -- A Long Island woman already facing cancer was hit with yet another blow she never expected -- a financial issue that had her fighting for more than just her health.

After her life-changing diagnosis, Theresa Janssen's world flipped upside down.

"I was diagnosed with colon cancer in February of '23," she said.

A disease that she sadly knows all too well.

"My father passed away. I want to say it's about seven years now, passed away of colon cancer. And both of his parents passed away of colon cancer," she said.

Luckily, early detection with a colonoscopy helped her fight, but the battle cost her more than her health. Theresa had to leave her job as a dental office manager and could no longer afford her Hempstead apartment, so she moved in with her mother.

"She's my saving grace. I tell everybody that she's if it wasn't for her, I'd be out on the street living in a box."

Before moving out in August 2023, Janssen says she called all her utilities, including National Grid, to close her gas account. She even paid off the last few cents due on her balance, which was $0.67. A few months later, she got another bill for $88.71.

"I keep getting bills month after month, and it keeps accumulating," she said.

Two years after Janssen moved out, the gas bill blew up. $88 turned into $708, all for an apartment she no longer lives in.

"Every time I got a bill after, I wrote the letter. Every time I got a bill, I would send the bill back with the letter," she said.

Eventually, Theresa realized she needed to do more.

"I channeled my father. He taught me how to stick up for myself. That's when I called you, because I was afraid to go to collections."

ABC 7 On Your Side contacted National Grid and provided all the evidence that we could dig up to prove that Janssen no longer lived at her old address. That very same day, she got a call from the utility company, and within a week, the gas bill was off the table.

In a statement to Eyewitness News, National Grid said, "we are pleased to assist Ms. Janssen with closing her account at her previous address. We'd like to remind all customers that when relocating, it is essential to notify National Grid to cancel their existing accounts and schedule a service disconnection. This ensures they are not billed for services used by future tenants at their former address."

"They completely wiped my account clean," said Janssen, referring to her balance due. "They closed it for me. And I got a zero bill now."

----------
SHARE YOUR STORY

Do you have an issue with a company that you haven't been able to resolve? If so, 7 On Your Side wants to help you!

Fill out the form below or email your questions, issues, or story ideas by filling out the form below or by emailing 7OnYourSideNina@abc.com. All emails MUST INCLUDE YOUR NAME AND CELLPHONE NUMBER. Without a phone number, 7 On Your Side will not be able to respond.