Calgary homeowner sent to collections over Direct Energy billing bungle [Video]

A Calgary homeowner is warning others after a months-long battle with Direct Energy over a billing dispute.

Tammy Schuiling told Global News she started getting texts and phone calls from a collection agency at the start of June.

“They started texting me that I owed over $1,300 for a Direct Energy bill,” she said. “I was completely shocked.”

Not only was she stunned to get the bill, she was also surprised that it was from Direct Energy.

Schuiling discovered that the utility bills were tied to her old home, which she sold in 2021. She said she had disconnected all the utilities before she left — though none were with Direct Energy — but later learned the new owner hadn’t signed up for utilities in her own name.

“So, when a person purchased my home they automatically got signed up with Direct Energy,” Schuiling said. “I was told it was by default.

“They (Direct Energy) were …