by Jack
The doorbell rings, you answer and a young man or women steps back off your porch, so as not to appear intimidating. And he or she says they are conducting an energy audit in the nieghborhood and did you may be able to save up to 40% off your PG&E gas bill? Of course this is not a sales call they explain, why we’re just here to save you some money. Now if they could just see your recent PG&E bill they can calculate how much savings you could get! This is your lucky day.
“In many states, CA included, customers can switch their electricity or natural gas suppliers. It’s possible to compare rates and terms of state-vetted suppliers on the website of your state Public Utility Commission (PUC). But beware: Some suppliers employ telemarketers and door-to-door salesmen to recruit new customers with promises of lower rates for switching. But after a brief introductory period, rates may suddenly skyrocket — and you find yourself locked in a long-term contract with high cancellation fees. Attorney general offices in several states have sued energy suppliers for such bait-and-switch practices.
In some instances, you may be asked only for your name, address and utility account number — not a credit card. But with that information in hand, the new supplier can switch your power service provider, either with your blessing or by “slamming,” the illegal practice of switching customers to another provider without their consent. Your best bet: If you’re interested in switching energy suppliers, avoid unsolicited offers and instead compare your options at your state’s PUC website.
Inspection Deception
Now is when utility company imposters or independent “energy auditors” tend to appear unannounced at your front door, offering a free inspection of your furnace and thermostat, or a free evaluation of your home’s energy leakage. But unless your utility company has notified you in advance or you initiated a request for an audit or inspection, don’t let them in.”
There is no end of great deals out here by nice folks who can’t wait to save you money….not. Wise up, there’s no tooth fairy and no free lunch. However, theres generally a big hook in every deal to good to be and you owe it to yourself to find out more before you become a victim.
Again a product of the unregulated free market. Can not have it both ways.
LOL This is not new. It is now called the job market.
So Dewey, you think if mre and better regulations were put in place scam artists would quit their criminal activities and apply for a job?
I think that idea is nuts!
The market is NOT unregulated. The federal registry alone includes hundreds of thousands of pages of regulations. The Hill reported in 2015:
In addition there are the pages and pages of state and local regulations.
Regulations don’t stop criminals. The scam artist counts on the gullibility of the public in his quest to get around rules, regulations, and common decency to make money, rather than working in a legitimate job.