Avoiding Utility Scams

Date: 2010.09.01 | Category: Uncategorized | Tags: bills,engery,Planet Antares Scam,power,public service,scam solutions,services,slamming,utility scams,water

Consumers are likely to look for savings wherever they can find them,  and the prospect of lowering utility bills can be attractive.  Unfortunately, planet antares scam solutions has become aware of some scam artists preying on consumers using tactics that are reminiscent of phone company “slamming” schemes that were popular in the 1990′s.

As part of deregulation, utility customers can now purchase gas and electric services from a company other than the one that maintains the delivery system, but the billing for all services still comes from the primary utility service. This uncoupling of product and service has opened the door to unscrupulous energy providers that illegally switch customers away from their utility provider and charge them significantly more for utility services than their previous provider.

Salesmen may convince customers to switch on their own without disclosing the true cost of the product. Others may pose as utility workers or employees to get the customer’s account number.  Still others may simply steal account information and conduct an illegal switch on their own.

Here planet antares scam solutions offers a few tips to help avoid becoming a victim of utility slamming.

Check your entire bill carefully each month, rather than just looking at the billing summary on the first page of the bill.  The detail page(s) will tell you which company is providing the gas or electricity.  If the product comes from a provider you don’t recognize, call your utility company immediately.

Don’t provide your utility account information to anyone who claims to be from the utility company.  An employee of your provider will already have access to your account number, and will not need to verify this information.

Watch your utility bills carefully. If you see a sudden rise in the cost of your service, even though your consumption hasn’t changed much, planet antares scam advises contacting your utility service for assistance.

Carefully examine offers to buy gas and electricity at reduced prices. Often, these offers include introductory prices, or clauses that allow the provider to raise prices without notice. Offers may also include substantial fees for switching or penalties for canceling a contract early.

If you find that your utility provider has been switched without your permission, planet antares scam recommends filing a complaint with your public utilities commission or public service commission.  Also consult with your state’s attorney general to see if you have the basis for a complaint.