When Marsha Thomas\u2019 husband died four years ago, she quickly learned how overwhelming it can be to settle affairs after a loss. <\/p>\n
Bit by bit, she switched accounts into her name. But one slipped through the cracks: the ComEd account in her late husband\u2019s name.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have to prove so many things, and everybody wants a certified copy of a death certificate. The funeral home says get a dozen so you can prove it,\u201d Thomas said.<\/p>\n
In fall 2025, Thomas notified the utility company of his death. She says ComEd closed the old account and opened a new one. Then came a surprise. <\/p>\n
\u201cI got a letter from ComEd saying they were going to charge me a new account deposit,\u201d Thomas said.<\/p>\n
Her bill showed a $210 security deposit. Thomas says she asked ComEd why and was told it\u2019s standard for every new account.<\/p>\n
According to Thomas, she called and emailed ComEd at least six times to dispute the charge. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe supervisor said there was nothing she could do,\u201d Thomas said.<\/p>\n
Feeling stuck, she wrote to NBC 5 Responds and we started looking into her complaint. One thing in particular stood out. <\/p>\n
The Illinois Commerce Commission\u2019s administrative code for public utilities states: \u201cCustomer deposits are used to secure against potential unpaid debts.\u201d Thomas says she had no unpaid debts.<\/p>\n
ComEd declined an on-camera interview with NBC Chicago but said in an email: \u201cComEd is dedicated to providing all customers with timely and accurate billing. On rare occasions, a clerical error may lead to an inadvertent charge on a customer\u2019s account. In such cases, ComEd will promptly resolve the issue and ensure appropriate retraining is conducted.\u201d<\/p>\n
Thomas was refunded the money, and she says it wouldn\u2019t have happened without help. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe only reason I\u2019ve been reimbursed is because Channel 5 got on them. That\u2019s the only reason,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n