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OK .. so im sitting here in my house (apt) and 2 ppl knock on my door & claim to work for con ed & they begin to tell me "oh youve been over charged blah blah blah" so then the dude is like can we SEE your bill. so im like NO you cant. then he proceeds to tell me that in order for them to help me they need to look @ 1 of my old bills to get some info on my over charging. and all this other bullshit..anyway this is a scheme / skam / hustle / complete BULLSHIT and these fools are tryin to RIP U OFF so beware... its a lightskin blk dude with beard and braids bout 6 -1 and a small blk woman drker skin color short hair.
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this something that the police should be told about... likely via 911.For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor.
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Good call man. Con-ed/Nat Grid will never ask for your bill, let alone make house calls to see it. I cant even get them to come within a 24hr period to turn my gas on let alone have them make a house call to look at my bill for an overcharge.
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What were they looking for exactly, Ian? They would look at your bill, tell you you were overcharged and then at that point you could be like, "well, pony up, mofos! Gimme some cash!""...you can choose the rain....but I choose the sun..." - N. Costa
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There have been a few posts on this before. In this link is a link to the article in the Consumerist about one of the companies that works this hustle http://www.brooklynian.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=405004&highlight=&sid=4fb43c28cdd1aedaf7911413b09c6ba9
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well it was funny, because the convo started like this " hello sir, we are here on behalf of con-ed and we see that you didnt call the 800 # on your bill" ahaha thats when i knew it was all bullshit. but they want the "correct billing info" on your stuff so then can swindle my identy away and fuck my life up even more with debt ahahahah little do they know the joke woulda been on them if they stole my id ahah .. but really they looked and sounded like some old school con team from the 80's i cant believe that ppl still give into that kinda stuff in this day & age of everything being on the damn internet.. ahahah at i keep rambling whatchu they wanted to SEE my OLD bills and show me where i was ripped off thats the jist of it !
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There have been some folks who've been robbed by some guys claiming to be from Con Ed http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9403E7DF163DF932A05754C0A961958260
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Sounds like a scammy door-to-door ESCO.The world will little note nor long remember what we say here. -- Abraham Lincoln
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Saw the same 2 jerks early this week in my building. Told them that they had 1 minute before I called the cops. They left the building immediately. If you're a legit Con Ed rep. Why run? Con-Men A-holes!I fight for Truth and Justice.
- Superman -
Yeah I had that weird Esco scam happened to me a few months back
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Two of these people came to my door yesterday, and another one the day before that. I'm just amazed at how ballsy they've gotten, flat-out claiming that they work for ConEd and need to readjust your over-charged bill... yet they have no ConEd ID and no info on your account. Apparently this ESCO works their sales commissions like an MLM / pyramid scheme, which is why they're so in-your-face... call the cops and file a complaint w/ the attorney general.
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Brownstoner's got a bit on this too: http://www.brownstoner.com/brownstoner/archives/2008/10/energy_scammers.php
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They actually got Mrs DrJ when they came by when I was out one day, after scamming their way past our doorman. Unfortunately, her scam filters are way down, due to living most of her life in a country where consumer protections are extremely strong and scams of any kind virtually unheard of. Even though she's not on the account, not authorized to make the switch, and told them she had to wait to ask me, they went ahead anyway, bastards, because she showed them the bill. The good news is, a phonecall to their office the next day fixed it.The world will little note nor long remember what we say here. -- Abraham Lincoln
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aw damn thats wild they got your wife.. grrrrrr.. thats good that just a phonecall fixed whatever ... wait was it the same couple. the blk man and woman?
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aw damn thats wild they got your wife.. grrrrrr.. thats good that just a phonecall fixed whatever ... wait was it the same couple. the blk man and woman?
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Posts on brownstoner and gowanuslounge today on this very topic. The Concerned Citizens of Greenwood Heights are attempting to round up experiences from folks all over the borough. If you care to share your story, they are asking to send along an e-mail to info (at) ccgreenwoodhts.com These dudes came through our area as well!
A word or two from the highest point in Brooklyn--Greenwood Hts.
...elevation, not just inebriation... -
I live on E parkway and a male and a female rang my bell about two weeks ago on a saturday. The guy had a lanyard ID cardy thing that I didn't get a good look at because I just peeked through the peep hole and when i saw it wasn't anyone I recognized, did not open the door. If I'm not expecting someone, my door stays shut. F that.giggity giggity
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If they show up at your door tell them you work for Ambit Energy. Its another ESCO that has a multi-level marketing focus. They won't try and convert you then, and they'll know you're hip to their game.
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LOL! FYI, global post based on all this B.S. http://www.brooklynian.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=46248A word or two from the highest point in Brooklyn--Greenwood Hts.
...elevation, not just inebriation... -
yea, they came to my place too. i didn't let them in, but they seemed to be trying all the apartments in the (pretty big) bldg.
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I am embarrassed to say that they were in my building yesterday, late afternoon and I fell for the scam. They rang my bell and I thought since the doorman let them up, they must be legit. It seemed fishy to me but I kept thinking, "well the doorman let them up" and gave them my bill and all. It wasn't until I read the paperwork that I realized that my initial suspicions were valid and saw that I had signed up for IDT. I waited until 7:30 a.m. this morning, called the 800 number, gave the rep a mouthful and she canceled the account. She gave me a confirmation number. Still can't believe I was taken though but am glad that I got out of it.
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They just hit our bldg, Park b/w Flatbush and Vandy (but I poked my head down the stairs and informed them I knew it was a scam... because I read it here first!). Watch out...
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They are working Park Place tonight. Beware! They just tried to come to our door and we told them that we don't keep copies of our old Con Edison or National Grid bills. He sprinted out of here.
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I signed up for an ESCO years ago -- Smart Energy -- when they first introduced them, and I'm still paying the price. They somehow used a years-old address on my account and didn't bill me correctly for years, though I was still getting my 'delivery' bill from the main company, so I thought everything was fine. Then they figure it out and try to back bill me for thousands, and I refuse to pay on principle. Now it's on my credit report 3 times, once for each of the collection agencies they placed it with, and impacting my FICO score. I will NEVER use an ESCO again. They're all half-assed.
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They're at it again -- I'd never been targeted by them before, but they just rang my buzzer on South Portland. Watch out.
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Former Prospect Heights resident now living in Bed-Stuy here: These clowns were in my building yesterday and talked to one of my roommates who is very new to NYC. They hit at the worst possible time because that day she was actually waiting for Keyspan to handle a matter with our gas, and so it was that much more confusing. Fortunately she ended up finding one of the Con-Ed bills on my desk from my old place (which was in my former roommate's name) and showed them that instead of our new bills (I hate my old roommate's guts so I actually hope they snatched his info. The bastard!) I came in today and they were here again so I called the cops. They came and talked to them, and I think they asked them to leave the building but that was about it. From what people are saying here there might be multiple operations going on, some more nefarious than others. These two (a man and woman) didn't seem dangerous, but still out to scam. Anyway, solicitation like this sucks. Thanks all of you for the tips.
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They came to my apartment building as well. They rang the buzzers to the point where someone in my building buzzed them in. They knocked repetedly on everyones doors... The guy who came to my door was pretty young. About 16. What exactly are they getting??? Its a total scam, but what are they pulling from the bills (if you were to show them) that would be ripped off. That's pretty bold and old school to knock on peoples doors!my beat is correct.
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"but what are they pulling from the bills " Your name, address and acct # in order to sign you up even if you do not sign their contracts. STAY AWAY.A word or two from the highest point in Brooklyn--Greenwood Hts.
...elevation, not just inebriation... -
lostingreenwoodhts » "but what are they pulling from the bills " Your name, address and acct # in order to sign you up even if you do not sign their contracts. STAY AWAY.
Thanks for the info. I was wondering about that too. By the way, I found the flier she got from them yesterday and this one says U.S. Energy Savings, part of Energy Savings Group. http://www.usesc.com The website looks semi-legit so this one is probably a pyramid situation. Some of the google hits seem to discuss them as an overcharge ripoff. I was wondering if I overreacted by calling the cops, but from reading your posts and looking this stuff up I'm feeling like it was the right thing to do. -
You did the right thing
A word or two from the highest point in Brooklyn--Greenwood Hts.
...elevation, not just inebriation... -
Subject: save
ok so would switching to IDT save me any money? -
NO! Put on those reading glasses, jeeze!A word or two from the highest point in Brooklyn--Greenwood Hts.
...elevation, not just inebriation... -
Yes I've got my reading glasses on and I still don't see anyone saying that they've actually been ripped off. I'd gladly let someone scam their way into my building if my rates went down.
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7% savings the first month, then a "deregulated" whatever they want to charge. Best case was $100 above the Con Ed charges, worst we have heard of was $400 (in one month). That's the scam. Check out brownstoner, gowanuslounge and consumerist blogs. But ultimately it's YOUR choice. Con Ed is no cake walk, but at least accountable.A word or two from the highest point in Brooklyn--Greenwood Hts.
...elevation, not just inebriation... -
Yikes! I hope someone stops them soon. Thanks for all the info
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Aaron Brashear, a Greenwood Heights activist, has been one of the people taking the lead on this scam over that side of Brooklyn. Here is a flier that they published: http://www.ccgreenwoodhts.com/pdfs/ccgh-escos-slammed-flyer-111908.pdf
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Just received this from one of the list servs I am not. A MUST READ if you have been scammed by IDT:
I was contacted for the second time by an anonymous tipster who recommended yet another venue to complain against IDT Energy's (IDT Corporation) and Midtown Promotions' "ESCOS Slamming" (scamming) techniques perpetrated on our communities and others through out Brooklyn, Queens and the City. While complaints to the New York State Public Service Commission and the Better Business Bureau of NJ and NY, you can also submit anonymous complaints against IDT to their auditor, Grant Thorton LLP ( http://www.grantthornton.com/ ) via an ethics complaint company EthicsPoint. Thanks to the hundreds of you who have responded (with horror stories, unfortunately) to date. We have filed two complaints as of today: 1. Falsification of contracts, reports or records (i.e. if you were ESCOS Slammed) 2. Misconduct or inappropriate behavior (i.e. "Hi, I work for Con Ed/Nat Grid and I can save you $$" or aggressive sales tactics) I encourage EVERYONE who has written/called us or posted complaints on browstoner, gowanuslounge or brooklynian or to CB7 to take the 10 mins to file one or two complaints. Here's how you go about filing an on-line complaint (you can do it by phone as well at 866-739-4134): 1. Visit https://secure.ethicspoint.com/domain/en/report_custom.asp?clientid=15191 or via Grant Thorton LLP's website, under the "ethics" link at the bottom of every page. 2. Click on the "Make a Report" button (this will take you to the Ethicspoint.com portal) 3. You will see options on how to report a single or multiple ethics transgressions against IDT Energy (IDT Corporation) and their third-party sales team at Midtown promotions (Chris Polke, CEO) as it states "You are currently in the confidential and secure reporting structure of EthicsPoint. Below are the choices available to you. Please click on the arrow to select the type of report you would like to make." 4. Depending on whether you were "ESCOS slammed" (ie. signed up for service change to IDT Energy with out your permission) or scammed by a sales rep into thinking the change "will save you money" or if they represented themselves as "working for Con Ed or National Grid." 5. As per above, select either (or both): Falsification of contracts, reports or records and/or Misconduct or inappropriate behavior It is important to fill out as much info as you may have, which can be done anonymously, but make sure to reference you are "filing a complaint against IDT Energy (IDT Corporation) and their 3rd-party sales team Midtown Promotions to the independent auditor Grant Thorton LLP." It's that easy (really)! Took me longer to read my e-mail than to file the complaint
Anyone gonna file a complaint?
Grant Thorton LLP MUST investigate all ethics charges and report them back to their board and subsequently to the SEC and other agencies due to IDT Energy's conduct and if it deemed unethical or illegal. Think about Enron and Arthur Anderson...ring a bell?
Ultimately it's all up to you. I'm just passing along the info. This and help from our local electeds should help us turn the tide against this type of improper sales tactics!
NOTE: for the press and the blogs, if you repost this (please do) leave my name of of it (or contact me if you need to). For our fellow community groups and list serves: please pass this info along to anyone who may have been slammed or scammed.
Perhaps we'll get a New Year's treat and see IDT Energy (IDT Corporation) and Midtown promotions get what's coming to them...proper legal action ad accountability for, in my POV, their illegal and unethical sales techniques.
Happy 2009 in advance to all!A word or two from the highest point in Brooklyn--Greenwood Hts.
...elevation, not just inebriation... -
This could work too.
Why attack God? He may be as miserable as we are.
- Erik Satie -
A young woman and an older man (who did not speak) came to our apartment around 2pm and said they could save us money on our Coned bills but they needed to see the last two bills. The woman then told my husband he had amazing eyes. He said he was not going to show anyone any Coned bills and he was busy and shut the door. They were both wearing street clothes and never offered any ID. Very odd.... We are concerned about the eldery folks in our building and how did they get in...
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That's them! One time the guy got really hostel to my wife when she asked them to leave. That's why I greet with the bat.Why attack God? He may be as miserable as we are.
- Erik Satie
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