Duke Energy says it mistakenly reported thousands of customers' monthly payments as 'late' to the National Consumer Telecom & Utilities Exchange (NCTUE).
The NCTUE is a consumer reporting agency that maintains account histories used by utility, telecommunications and pay TV providers in credit-related decisions.
The mistake could affect up to 500,000 current and former residential Duke Energy customers in Indiana.
Duke Energy says it immediately took steps to correct the error and no longer reports payments to the NCTUE. All information previously reported to the organization is now blocked and can no longer be used by other providers for credit-related decisions.
Duke Energy started notifying affected customers of the error this week and will continue throughout the month of October.
Customers with questions can call 800-265-6515 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
About 5,000 non-residential customers on payment plans may have had their information incorrectly reported to Dun & Bradstreet and Equifax Commercial Services. Duke Energy is taking steps to correct those errors, as well.