IDT Energy Scam...have you been hit up?

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

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!

SCAMMERS' POWER STING

February 8, 2009

By ANGELA MONTEFINISE

Big Apple homeowners are getting zapped by a shocking door-to-door scam.

In an attempt to grab Con Ed customers, energy service companies are ringing bells in Brooklyn and Queens offering drastically cheaper rates for delivering electricity.

The only problem is the salespeople often lie, forge and misrepresent themselves to do it, according to victims. "It's very disturbing," said City Councilman Bill de Blasio (D-Brooklyn), whose office is fielding persistent complaints and has created a hot line for victims.

The scam is simple: Salesmen knock on the door and ask for the homeowner's Con Ed bill. Sometimes the salesmen identify themselves properly, but often they imply or say they're from Con Ed.

After looking at the bill and pointing out high charges, they quote a false rate to entice the homeowner to switch or take down personal information to facilitate an unauthorized switch.