AG warns of energy-sales scams picking up around holidays

Debra Pressey
December 19, 2019

CHICAGO — Beware of alternative retail energy suppliers offering deals that sound just too good to be true, local and state authorities are cautioning.

In a warning Wednesday, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul said these private, for-profit companies selling electricity and natural gas have been out marketing in and around stores where holiday shoppers are rushing around trying to finish buying their gifts.

“As people rush to purchase last-minute holiday gifts, they should also be wary of energy suppliers that set up in busy retail spaces to entice customers with false claims of free energy and deceptive reward benefits,” he said.

Raoul also urged retailers to protect their customers by keeping alternative retail energy supply marketers from selling inside or outside their stores.

Scott Tess, Urbana’s environmental sustainability manager, said the city has also been warning local residents on its website about retail energy suppliers going door to door with high-pressure and misleading offers.

“The sales behavior has been pretty bad,” he said.

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