A simple error while paying an electricity bill online turned into a stressful ordeal for Toronto resident Naomi Khan, who accidentally paid $8,472 instead of the intended $84.72 after forgetting to input a decimal point during the transaction.
Khan, who normally pays her bills on a computer, used her phone this time and didn’t realize the mistake until days later, when she needed to pay her rent and other bills.
“When it happened, it was a hard blow, a slap in the face. I couldn’t believe it,” said Khan. She initially expected a quick refund, but soon grew frustrated with the lack of clarity and communication from the billing company, Metergy Solutions.
After two weeks of waiting with no resolution, Khan reached out to CTV News, whose intervention helped expedite the refund. In a statement, Metergy confirmed that the refund was processed via e-transfer and that Naomi Khan had received a full refund.
“I’m thankful for CTV. You guys are an amazing voice for people who have no voice,” Khan said after receiving her money back.
This incident highlights the risks of online payments, especially on mobile devices where typos are more likely. Financial experts urge consumers to double or triple check payment amounts before submitting transactions.
Mistakes like this have happened before — another case involved a senior who mistakenly paid over $13,000 on her credit card when trying to pay $131.07, and it took her more than three months to get her money back.
Consumers are reminded that while most companies will issue refunds for overpayments, the process can be lengthy, and attention to detail can prevent unnecessary stress.