Comeuppance for electricity conmen
London Electricity has been fined Ł2m by energy regulator Ofgem for its unscrupulous direct selling tactics.
The ruling followed a flood of complaints from former customers who had been deceived into providing their signatures, allowing their gas or electricity supply to be transferred to the company.
In some cases, sales staff had even taken names and addresses from the electoral roll and signed people up entirely without their knowledge.
A number of Blackbird Leys residents have been subjected to these tactics. Teresa Gough of Overmead Green complained to the IWCA after a salesman persuaded her to sign over to London Electricity without her realising it. Mrs Gough thought the man was from Southern Electric, her long-term supplier.
The Oxford Mail ran a front-page story in the summer about Mrs Gough’s experience after the IWCA’s Stuart Craft contacted the paper. Mr Craft warned residents to remain on their guard: ‘There are still sellers out there trying to con people into switching supplies without being aware of the facts,’ he said, ‘However, the recent fine by the regulator will hopefully convince these companies to clean up their act.’
Leys Independent, issue 16, December 2002
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