Possible scam alert - Just Energy

[koloratur.livejournal.com]

Two people from "Just Energy" seem to be going door to door trying to get people to switch to Just Energy for gas/electric. A little googling shows that they are shady at best:

http://www.bbb.org/kitchener/business-reviews/natural-gas-companies/just-energy-in-mississauga-on-17632

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Just_Energy#Controversies

http://consumerist.com/2010/03/10/deceptive-just-energy-salespeople-cruising-brooklyn/

Comments

[ron_newman]

Is this the company where you might pay more for electricity, but it's all supposed to come from renewable (green) sources?

[ringrose.livejournal.com]

Ron: if you follow the provided links, they're scamming people. The company has come up in Consumerist more than once.

IMO, this is a useful PSA because one of their tactics is to go door to door. They present themselves as from or representing groups which they aren't, just to get a foot in the door.

[courtney o'keefe (from livejournal.com)]

Thank you, koloratur! I'm going to let my neck of the wood know about this, as well.

[srakkt.livejournal.com]

The last time that this happened, I actually called the City.

They have a permit to go door to door - but you are absolutely correct that what they are doing is unethical at best, and possibly illegal.

Unfortunately, because they have a permit to go door to door, the police won't come snatch them up - despite the uncertain legality of their practice.

The best practice is this: do not let them see your utility bill. At all. Ask them to leave, and not to come back. If they press the issue, simply call the police; THAT part is at least illegal.

[shaune conant (from livejournal.com)]

DO NOT TALK to these people. They were in Medford last night and they are devious. They act like they are a subcontractor of national grid. The guy said it was pretty urgent we talk to him.
If they are legitimate why would they lie and try to intimidate. I called the police but they did not seem to care. They are not affiliated with national grid.