Until recently, switching electricity or gas providers was hardly worth considering and is still associated with a lot of uncertainty. In order to persuade consumers to switch during the energy price crisis, dubious providers are coming up with a lot of ideas: They pretend to be the Federal Network Agency, the Berlin Energy Center or a local supplier on the phone, lure people with cheap tariffs and use personal data for their own purposes. The Lower Saxony Consumer Center warns against this scam, because what you end up with is usually a contract with unfavorable conditions.
Many complaints about unwanted energy supply contracts
Currently, those affected regularly report to the Lower Saxony consumer advice centers with the same concern: an unwanted and sometimes assumed conclusion of a contract, which is always preceded by a similar telephone call. There is a report from a representative who wants to talk about lucrative switching tariffs on behalf of the Federal Network Agency, the Berlin Energy Center or the local supplier.
“It is not easy for those affected to understand that there are third-party providers behind such calls who are pretending to be false. The caller usually has comprehensive personal information about those affected, which he uses cleverly during the conversation.
René Zietlow-zahl, energy law expert at the Lower Saxony Consumer Center.
This means that the meter number, name and address as well as other details are known - for example whether the person called speaks a different language. If this creates an initial trusting impression, the caller advertises a particularly favorable electricity or gas tariff. During or immediately after the phone call, consumers will then receive the contract details via SMS.
“In the belief that they are signing a good contract, many people answer this SMS directly and thus confirm that the contract has been concluded. Those affected often simply feel taken by surprise. Only afterwards does the rude awakening come. If, for example, a significantly higher work price or discount is stated in the written delivery or contract confirmation than promised on the phone.”
René Zietlow-zahl, energy law expert at the Lower Saxony Consumer Center
Illegal action by the providers
“Without prior, express consent, advertising calls are prohibited.”
René Zietlow-zahl, energy law expert at the Lower Saxony Consumer Center
The expert recommends hanging up immediately. Luring consumers into new contracts with false price information or circumventing the written form requirement for energy supply contracts is also illegal.
“Nevertheless, the contracts can be valid if consumers confirm the contract in writing. Those affected then only have the opportunity to revoke this in writing within 14 days.
René Zietlow-zahl, energy law expert at the Lower Saxony Consumer Center
In some cases, however, the scam goes further: the provider claims that the cancellation period has already been exceeded. “But that is not always the truth,” explains the expert and advises paying attention to the date of the written contract confirmation. It should also be checked whether the cancellation policy was sent along. The cancellation period only begins when consumers have been correctly informed about their right of cancellation.
Tips from the consumer advice center
Anyone who receives a promotional call should generally not provide any personal information. This also applies to information about the current contract and the meter number. The same applies to bank details. In general, those affected should not allow themselves to be put under pressure - never sign immediately, not even an SMS or email, thereby confirming the contract. With serious offers, customers are given enough time to take their time to look at the contractual conditions.
The Lower Saxony Consumer Center offers further information on telephone advertising from energy suppliers as well as a sample letter for cancellation here .
Source:
Lower Saxony Consumer Center
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