Direct Energy Scam?

[You Need a Thneed]

Next time I have one of these scammers come to my door, I'm tempted to get my shoes on, follow them around, stand behind them on every porch, saying "it's a scam" to everyone as they open their door.

[vektor]

How is this even possible to be legal? What are the police doing?

[V]

I just use the old "Yeah dude, I work for ENMAX, you can't fleece me." They instantly walk away every time.

[schteve_d]

I have the Enmax folks up here trying the same thing on me occasionally. I thought they were the bad guys?

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by V

I just use the old "Yeah dude, I work for ENMAX, you can't fleece me." They instantly walk away every time.

That is so simple, but brilliant!

[Cheese]

Originally Posted by vektor

How is this even possible to be legal? What are the police doing?

Nothing illegal about trying to get people to pay twice the price on a commodity.
If you fall for it without doing your due diligence then shame on you. Many corp Managers lost their jobs because they thought they might save their companies thousands of dollars by locking in rates....LOL

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by Cheese

Nothing illegal about trying to get people to pay twice the price on a commodity.

I think he may have been talking about if somebody gets switched over without their knowledge. Like the scammer asking to see the bill, and using the bill info to switch them over.

While likely not legal; I'm not sure the police could do much unless a signature was forged. It would be a he-said; she-said kind of situation about a contract dispute... and I think that would be a civil matter.

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by Cheese

Nothing illegal about trying to get people to pay twice the price on a commodity.
If you fall for it without doing your due diligence then shame on you. Many corp Managers lost their jobs because they thought they might save their companies thousands of dollars by locking in rates....LOL

The scam isn't about the prices, but rather that the Direct Energy guy asks to see a bill to see what you're paying, writes down the account number, and switches you over without your consent.

If someone agrees to do something stupid, that's their problem, but to have it done without your consent is crossing the line.

[fundmark19]

When I was talking to enmax about how they were able to do it they said that all they need is a verbal. If anyone calls direct energy and says to switch this house to them they will do it. Same with calling and setting up enmax you just call them and tell them to switch and they will do it no questions asked. It is far to easy for your rights to get switched back and forth

[vektor]

Contracts are not valid if they are not made by 2 consenting parties. Looking at the bill and switching the service is not a valid contract, these guys have been by my house a few times and now I really wanna yell at them

[CaptainCrunch]

Ask him if he can explain the laws of thermodynaics.

If he can't yell, "we obey the laws of physics in this house" then slam the door in his face.

It works everytime.

[Thor]

When it happened to me in 2007 it was a large black man, so I knew it was a scam, probably from Nigeria too.

[Old Yeller]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

Next time I have one of these scammers come to my door, I'm tempted to get my shoes on, follow them around, stand behind them on every porch, saying "it's a scam" to everyone as they open their door.

That's a good idea actually. There's this very nice older couple at the end of my block that are waaaaay too trusting and would probably fall for this scam.

They came by my place last year, if they come by again this year I'll tell them to hold on while I go find my bill, then put my shoes on and get the dog and walk behind them for a while.

[Minnie]

Even if I was so inclined to 'show them a bill just for a minute' it would prove difficult because I'd have to haul the laptop or desktop to the door and log in and pull up the bill. We haven't received a paper bill in years.

I have been known to let them know that 'my bill' isn't home right now, when they request to 'see one', so they can come back later when he is.

[the wanderer]

Two things.

For the person who said Enmax came to their door, unless you are a business it was most likely another company claiming to be Enmax, as Enmax does not have a sales force going door to door other than business

If you are "slammed" and lose you service from a provider without your permission call the provider and have them put you back on, then call the UCA (utilities consumer advocate) they will help you to ensure you. The uca website is www.ucahelps.alberta.ca

[Swarly]

hmmm... wonder if I can call up enmax and have the direct energy office switched over to enmax then


or company directory + white pages.....

[Deegee]

Direct Energy Marketing is their name I believe and their fixed power rate is reasonable, it's just their fixed gas rate is ridiculous.

Actually, Enmax is the same in that their fixed electrical is reasonable, but their fixed gas is not.

For the record I am with Enmax for fixed electrical and variable gas.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by ken0042

IIRC they need some numbers from your bill. Some of the scammers will ask to see your bill to "show you" how much you could save. However they quickly jot down your meter numbers.

I would still call Enmax; just to be safe.

Speaking of, a friend of mine (sadly) was still on Direct Energy until very recently. They still often knocked on the door, and part of the reason they ask to see the bill is to prove that the person is already a customer - therefore no commission coming.

Interestingly in her case, she did show her DE bill to a DE door knocker, who then told her he could get her a better rate. If I had known she was on Direct Energy, I would have been screaming at her to change before, but when I heard this, I told her to call Enmax and switch. She was reluctant, and it took me a lot of persuasion. In the end, we discovered she had been paying over three times what Enmax is currently charging. The "better rate" the guy came up with was still way over Enmax's rate.

Basically, they wanted to get her under a new contract at an inflated rate that seemed like a huge bargain. Ironically, they caused her to finally start asking questions. I think she would have remained oblivious to just how badly she was being ripped off if nobody brought it up.

[prarieboy]

So what's the best way to go? I haven't looked into anything other than variable because I hear about so many concerns about fixed contracts.

I'm on Enmax for variable power and Direct Energy for variable gas.

[the wanderer]

Originally Posted by prarieboy

So what's the best way to go? I haven't looked into anything other than variable because I hear about so many concerns about fixed contracts.

I'm on Enmax for variable power and Direct Energy for variable gas.

I would definitely recommend fixed rate electricity with Enmax.
In terms of gas, I would recommend variable rate.
In terms of who to go with for gas, I find it a harder call.

Enmax has the $100 yearly credit for bundling both services, the ability to lock in and then change or visa versa , slightly higher admin fee, (in my opinion) more honest and better quality customer service, the moneys going to the city of Calgary (wholly owned) a better gas surcharge than the other competitive rates..

The regulated rate with Direct Energy is a good rate.

The above are solely my opinions