December 06, 2012
Thursday PM

I have been in Alaska since 1989, I came back to Alaska to be with my mother who was sick, I decided to stay after she passed. So I am from Alaska and don't have any plans to move. I am wondering if what happened to me has ever happened to anyone else. I can't remember even getting my lights hooked up, it was so long ago, but I remember that I did put up a deposit. I think I eventually got it back. I usually pay my bills before I do anything, but I was caught up in a family matter and when I checked my bank account I saw that I hadn't paid my light bill. Then a man from the Ketchikan light company came to the door and said that he was there to shut off the lights and that I better call the office. I called the office and the lady in charge of credit said that I had to pay my bill in full and pay a $395.00 deposit by Friday (It was Tuesday) to keep my lights on. I tried to explain that I forgot because of family emergencies and she asked if I got energy assistance and I said yes. She said get them to pay it. The total amount that the light company wanted was $695.00. I told her that my disability check couldn't even pay that.

Well, I talked to energy assistance and they paid $350.00 of it. So, I called the credit department and told her that. She said when can you get the rest of it, it was Friday and my car was broken down, I had to borrow a car and try to get my car started to get to the Mall, I told her I would be there by 5. Well the money that the energy assistance gave to her for the deposit will just sit there until I have paid on time for a year. Meanwhile, the other half will go to oil. I usually don't pay oil because I don't get much from disability. So now I have another bill added because I forgot.

Has this ever happened to anyone else? Has the light company called and said just because you were late that you had to pay a deposit even though you have been there for years and don't plan on going anywhere?

Well be careful, plan your family emergencies carefully, it might not agree with their schedules.

Oh by the way, if I had paid $150.00 on my bill this all could have been avoided.

Have a Merry Christmas.

Gladys Natkong
Ketchikan, AK

About:"I am a retired (unwillingly) office worker. I have an AA in Office Administration from UAS Ketchikan Campus 1993. Just one of the masses."

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