Zapped! $13 power bill shows up 30 years late
LEXINGTON, S.C. — Getting a bill in the mail never makes anyone tingle with excitement, but it can be really shocking when the invoice arrives 30 years late.
Ivan Dennis just got zapped with an electric bill for $13.11, 30 years after the power was used at his South Carolina home.
The amount didn't stun Dennis. The problem is that Dennis doesn't have records from three decades ago, and can't verify he owes the money. He wants the power provider to shine some light on the situation.
"This was back in 1984, so it kind of made me curious about how they could go back that far," Dennis said.
Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative writes in the letter it mailed Dennis that it's had a hard time finding him over the past three decades to collect.
Dennis says he doesn't understand why — he's been a Mid-Carolina customer the whole time.
"It just kind of threw me for a loop that it was that old of a bill and they're coming to try and collect," he said.
Most power companies have a three-year statute of limitations on old bills. But Mid-Carolina is a co-op, with owners, and its bylaws read, "If found later, the applicant will become responsible for the past due balance."
In this case, it's just 13 bucks from 30 years ago.
"(We) cannot discuss individual account histories," said Mid-Carolina's Troy Simpson. "When past debts remain outstanding, we do bring them to the attention of the member, as we have in this case."
Company representatives say they hope to speak with Dennis through their customer care center and say he will not be charged interest or late fees on the payment.
"Thirty years is just too far back," Dennis said. "If I owe it, I'll be glad to pay it."