"The scammers send consumers postcards or make phone calls offering them free energy audits that will save them hundreds of dollars a month on their utility bills," said Susan Grant with the Consumer Federation of America.
Shoddy, substandard work can also be the result. One homeowner who fell for a free energy audit paid a company to install insulation. Turns out, the contractor was unlicensed and never returned to finished the job.
Phone solicitations for free home energy audits are among the fastest growing do-not-call-list complaints around the country. Katt said "no" to the sales pitch she got, but warns that the person with the pitch can be persistent.
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power will come to your home and conduct a free legitimate energy survey in your residence. All you need to do is call them to set up an appointment. Also, Southern California Edison offers a free energy survey online. Neither utility will come to your door just to solicit you.
\"The scammers send consumers postcards or make phone calls offering them free energy audits that will save them hundreds of dollars a month on their utility bills,\" said Susan Grant with the Consumer Federation of America.
Phone solicitations for free home energy audits are among the fastest growing do-not-call-list complaints around the country. Katt said \"no\" to the sales pitch she got, but warns that the person with the pitch can be persistent.
Hispanic business customers report telephone scams warning that their electric service will be disconnected unless they make a payment through a prepaid cash card such as the Green Dot card. PG&E is not making these calls. We never ask for an immediate payment with a prepaid cash card over the phone or in person. False financial requests like this should be treated like scams.
PG&E customers report receiving suspicious emails that appeared to be bills sent by PG&E. These bills are fictitious and should be treated like scams.
View more information about email scams. Visit PG&E Warns of Scam Emails, Calls.
A twist on the utility cut-off scam is the utility discount scam. The caller offers a discount on your monthly bill if you provide a credit or debit card. There is no discount, just the theft of your bank account information.
If at a later time, you decide to change your supplier company, do your homework and research which company will be the best fit for you. The Montgomery Energy Connection website can help you research programs and options on your energy consumption. The AARP has more information regarding this slamming scam. If you have questions about who your electricity supplier is, please contact your utility. In Montgomery County, that could be Potomac Electric Power Company (PEPCO), Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE), or Potomac Edison Company.
Scammer will be reluctant or unwilling to produce these forms of identification. If the salesman cannot verify who they work for or the employer identification does not match up with what they have told you, then chances are they are a fraud. So, what's the best way to deal with a fraud? By closing the door then confirming with your utility or supplier and inquire if they had contractors in your area. Two examples of legitimate home energy audit firms would be the EmPOWER Maryland program offering Quick Home Energy Checkups at no cost and Home Energy Audits for $100. EmPOWER Maryland will not usually come door to door and they do not do robocalls. Call your utility to learn more about those programs. The AARP provides further information on this scam.
Questions on Energy Use?
If you have any questions about energy efficiency, availability of programs, alternative energy options, or simply need assistance lowering your bill, you can research your options at Montgomery Energy Connection.
Or, the surprise visit might also lead to another scam. In one recently reported scenario, scammers claimed after the audit that homeowners were eligible for a government rebate or a grant program that required payment of an up-front fee (for a non-existent grant).
If someone wants you to pay for an energy audit or energy equipment with a prepaid debit card or wire transfer, this is a huge warning sign. Also, if you feel pressured to provide personal financial information on the spot, end the visit or hang up the phone immediately.
A legitimate home energy audit should only be performed by a Building Performance Institute (BPI) credentialed contractor or Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) home energy professional. The audit could take several hours to perform and provides consumers with a customized assessment report of the energy usage in the home. Confirm with the utility company that rebates offered are valid and verify federal or state tax credits. Be aware that some tax credits may apply only to specific technologies.
The BBB offers free educational information on how to be aware, informed and proactive so people can protect themselves against frauds and scams. For additional consumer protection information, visit www.bbb.org or contact the BBB by phoning (858) 637-6199.
We have recently learned that there have been companies and contractors representing themselves as Home Energy Auditors in order to take advantage of homeowners. These companies are cold-calling and even going door to door offering low-cost energy audits and implying that they are affiliated with National Grid or other weatherization programs. They then perform mock energy audits and then up-sell substandard installation and repair work to the homeowner.
Your local green expert when it comes to improving a home's energy efficiency and comfort. We help homeowners by offering leading-edge home performance solutions that save energy and lower utility bills.
I received a call from a company that said I could get a $3,000 federal grant if I had them do an energy audit of my home. They then requested my social security number and bank account information so they could check my credit rating. I got suspicious and hung up. Do you think this was a scam? Are there really grants or rebates available for doing an energy audit of your home?
Dear Consumer Ed: I posted an item for sale online and received an email from an interested buyer, saying he wanted to send me a certified check. He said the check will cover the cost of the item plus the expense incurred by the person who will pick up the item on his behalf. I am being asked to deposit the check and then wire a portion to the person picking up the item. Do you think this is a scam?
Another scam is aimed directly at your wallet. The scammer calls, gives a name and identifies himself or herself as a SECO employee. The scammer notifies the member of a past due bill and demands payment immediately. The scammer wants the member to either give out their credit card information over the phone or to meet them at a location and pay cash. Be especially cautious if a company representative asks to meet at a location away from the company office.
Scammers arrive at your home, pretending to be an energy company or reputable business. They offer you a free energy audit, efficiency inspection, or some other service. If you agree, the scammers enter your home to perform a dishonest or fraudulent inspection.
In the utility switch scam, the scammer offers you an opportunity to lower your electricity bills if you switch energy providers. He or she says they need additional info such as your existing energy provider account number, or even a copy/photo of your entire electricity bill, to verify your eligibility.
Next, the scammer may either a) switch your utility provider without your consent (possibly resulting in higher utility bills after an intro period), or b) use your personal info to steal your identity.
In the federal utility bill assistance scam, criminals reach out to you about a (fake) federal program that can help pay utility bills for qualifying individuals. The scammer asks you for sensitive information such as social security numbers. Once receiving your sensitive info, the scammer promises to get back in touch with you soon. Instead, the scammer uses the private information to steal your identity.
The utility bill federal assistance scam is carried out using various forms of communication, including phone, email, text messaging, social media, flyers, or door-to-door, possibly asking for your electric bill.
SMShing (pronounced smishing) occurs when scammers send a text message to the recipient, urging him or her to promptly take an action, such as paying an energy bill or verifying account activity (due to suspicious activity). If you click the link, it may either a) install malware onto your smartphone, or b) take you to authentic-looking webpage designed to trick you into disclosing sensitive info.
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