Help Me Hank: Help Me Hank! Penny Payment

You wouldn't think one penny could make a big difference in someone's life. Even penny candy costs a dime these days. Parking meters won’t take 'em and if there’s one on the sidewalk, most people wont even stop to pick it up.

Of course Keith and Sharon Rogers are certainly counting their pennies, and dollars, as they work on their new home.

Keith Rogers, Homeowner
"Just remodeling every room slowly and just getting it to how we want it to look."

They saved their pennies into big bucks to pay for it, and now they're spending lots and lots of pennies to fix it up, to pay the mortgage and to pay their taxes.

Keith Rogers, Homeowner
"It’s a little more pressure than renting."

But then, in the mail, this letter from the mortgage company arrived. It said the couple was delinquent on property taxes and to send proof of payment immediately. Keith checked the receipt to see how much he owed.

Keith Rogers, Homeowner
"It was a penny."

Just one penny? Keith went straight to town hall to pay up.

Keith Rogers, Homeowner
"I put it on the counter and I’m like, well, here's the penny I owe ya."

But the town’s tax collectors gave him the penny right back. They said you don't owe any money, not even one cent. Keith thought he was set, until another letter from the mortgage company arrived. This time it was really tough -- with words like "default."

Keith Rogers, Homeowner
"A little nerve-wracking at that point."

Back to town hall, but they insisted he didn’t owe a dime, let alone a penny, and showed him records proving it.

Keith Rogers, Homeowner
"Oh I was fuming, fuming, because it was just so stupid."

Keith faxed the records to the mortgage company and sent them a message too.

Keith Rogers, Homeowner
"It’s your problem, in your accounting system. She said no, no, you owe a penny."

When we offered Keith a penny for his thoughts, he said:

Keith Rogers, Homeowner
"That I got in touch with Channel 7."

It was clear these demand letters didn't make any "cents." The receipts from town hall proved he was paid up, so why didn't the mortgage company think so?

Turns out the company's computer scans all the town records to make sure everyone's paid their taxes.

Hank Phillippi Ryan
"Can you check on that?"

And, oops, the company told us that when their computer looked at the Rogers’ record, quoting now, it "hiccuped."

And finally they agreed he's all paid up.

Now Keith and Sharon can keep using those saved pennies to get their home ready for their newest arrival -- a baby.

Keith Rogers, Homeowner
"It's getting there."

For thirty years now there’s been talk of eliminating the penny from U.S. currency, but according to the U.S. Mint, that is not in the works.

(Copyright (c) 2005 Sunbeam Television Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)