Marsha Thomas of Chicago discovered an unexpected $210 security deposit on her ComEd electric bill in the fall of 2025. The charge appeared after she contacted the utility company to transfer an account that had remained in her late husband's name since his death four years earlier.
Thomas told NBC Chicago she had been handling numerous financial transfers during that period. "You have to prove so many things, and everybody wants a certified copy of a death certificate," she said. "The funeral home says get a dozen so you can prove it."
When she noticed the ComEd account was still under her husband's name, the company agreed to close it and open a new account in her name. The next bill included the security deposit.
"I got a letter from ComEd saying they were going to charge me a new account deposit," Thomas told NBC 5. ComEd customer service representatives told her the charge was standard for new accounts, citing Illinois Commerce Commission rules that allow deposits to protect utilities against potential unpaid debt.
Thomas had paid all electricity bills on time and carried no unpaid debt. She called and emailed ComEd six times to dispute the charge, receiving the same response each time.
After Thomas reached out to NBC Chicago, the television station contacted ComEd. The company responded with an email stating: "ComEd 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's account. In such cases, ComEd will promptly resolve the issue and ensure appropriate retraining is conducted."
Thomas received a full $210 refund following the media inquiry. She credited the media attention with resolving the situation.
Utility accounts present particular challenges after a death. Companies typically require accounts to be officially transferred to the surviving spouse's name or closed and reopened. Failure to complete this process can result in security deposits, credit checks, or service interruptions.
State utility commissions like the Illinois Commerce Commission oversee billing rules and handle consumer complaints. Some utility companies offer hardship protections, payment plans, or deposit waivers, though these vary by company and state.
The Illinois Commerce Commission advises customers to contact its consumer services division if billing issues cannot be resolved directly with the utility company.