Called asking for the "person who pays the bills". Spouse states caller said "I can save you a lot of money!", then 2 questions were asked: Do you get assistance with your electric utility bill & do you pay more than $35/month? (No & Yes) Then asked for account number. When spouse said did not have statement handy, caller stated "I'm paid by the hour - I can wait while you get a copy." Spouse @ that time asked if caller was with Duke energy (no). Spouse asked identity of company - does not remember name given. Refused to give account # & caller asked what changed mind. Spouse said needed to talk with "other half" who wasn't yet home from work. Caller asked for time frame: 15 minutes? 30 minutes?
At this time still waiting for another call, which won't be made. This is a complete SLAM SCAM. BTW out phone 3 is on the DNC list.
Called asking for the "person who pays the bills". Spouse states caller said "I can save you a lot of money!", then 2 questions were asked: Do you get assistance with your electric utility bill & do you pay more than $35/month? (No & Yes) Then asked for account number. When spouse said did not have statement handy, caller stated "I'm paid by the hour - I can wait while you get a copy." Spouse @ that time asked if caller was with Duke energy (no). Spouse asked identity of company - does not remember name given. Refused to give account # & caller asked what changed mind. Spouse said needed to talk with "other half" who wasn't yet home from work. Caller asked for time frame: 15 minutes? 30 minutes?
At this time still waiting for another call, which won't be made. This is a complete SLAM SCAM. BTW out phone 3 is on the DNC list.
Called asking for the "person who pays the bills". Spouse states caller said "I can save you a lot of money!", then 2 questions were asked: Do you get assistance with your electric utility bill & do you pay more than $35/month? (No & Yes) Then asked for account number. When spouse said did not have statement handy, caller stated "I'm paid by the hour - I can wait while you get a copy." Spouse @ that time asked if caller was with Duke energy (no). Spouse asked identity of company - does not remember name given. Refused to give account # & caller asked what changed mind. Spouse said needed to talk with "other half" who wasn't yet home from work. Caller asked for time frame: 15 minutes? 30 minutes?
At this time still waiting for another call, which won't be made. This is a complete SLAM SCAM. BTW out phone 3 is on the DNC list.
Suprisingly, the guy called back! Young man by the name of "Ken" said he was with Border States Electric, "... and begining with my next bill..." I cut him off at that point stating I had NOT changed electric suppliers. His question: "Well don't you want to save money on your electric bill?" Response: "You're a telemarketer, you're calling from a cell phone, our number is on the National Do Not Call List, I have not, nor do I wish to change electric suppliers, DO NOT CALL AGAIN!"
Some background info: Border States Electric is a real company; but I can't find any indication of their presence in Ohio. (Nearest presence is Tennessee)
Ken" is a telemarketer using a cellphone for his calls, which make a call difficult to trace. In this case the call originated from a Bethany OH exchange, (about 25 miles NNE of Cincinnati... think WLW radio) He's in a boiler room atmosphere, based on the other voices/background noises heard.
If you want to switch electric suppliers, that's your option: but sureinhell DON'T go with one who calls you & asks for "the person who pays the electric bill." That's as bad as the ones I get at work, asking for "the person who purchases your shipping supplies." Yeah - right!
Verde Energy USA is using much the same script in the Philly 'burbs --
except that the caller claims to be "working with" my electric company
(PECO), and needs to "correct" my electric bill in order to provide a 15%
discount for which I have (mysteriously) become "eligible."
He "only" needs my PECO account number in order to "fix" my bill.
Obviously a classic slam-scam.
Yeah, I'm also on the DoNotCallList -- and have been since day #1.
So far, I've filed two complaints with the FTC (fraud and DNC violation),
plus the PA Attorney General and Public Utility Commission.