Becareful of fake keyspan, coned, anyone from the government

armchair_warrior

today my tenant called about letting someone in from keyspan to look at the meters. she thought it was weird cause they never come to read the meters. we have automatic meters there. but she let them in anyway very trusting person.

i called keyspan to see if they send anyone to do anything in the building today. they said no. so now i'm worried.

whats the locale precinct number guys?

A tip for everyone don't let anyone in your building/home cause the government or keyspan or coned generally have all the contact info of the owners for emergencies etc... they would call if there is any problems.

gc72

77th Precinct
718-735-0611

armchair_warrior

thanks for info.


I'll pass along the number to the girl, i was told by them she has to filed the report.

hey guys wasn't there a similar post last year about someone posing as a con ed or keyspan guy.

newres

I went to a community meeting last night with reps from 72 and 78 precinct and they advised to beware of this scam.

I had a Time Warner guy show up once without an appointment. Turns out he was there for my landlord, but couldn't give me the name of the person who they were there to see, or a bunch of other info (I asked this through the door). I called TWC and made him wait in his truck until I confirmed.

I recognize my ConEd people after all of these years, but if I didn't, I'd call to see if they were legit. Your ConEd bill shows you the date of the next scheduled reading.

MOD

armchair_warrior wrote:
hey guys wasn't there a similar post last year about someone posing as a con ed or keyspan guy.

I remember that too!
Makes you worry doesn't it!?

alxander

Police also said they sometimes pose as DEP people to test water quality.

Often wearing fake badges around their neck.

If they don't have an appointment, don't let them in. All of those calls are scheduled and the company who sent them should have a record.

emily

Mamacita wrote: [quote=armchair_warrior]
hey guys wasn't there a similar post last year about someone posing as a con ed or keyspan guy.

I remember that too!
Makes you worry doesn't it!?

There was something on the PS board, fairly recently, plus this: http://www.brooklynian.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=33653

nynicegy

they've come twice to my building. Always offering to provide some sort of discount to keyspan prices.

smokin joe

armchair and flex: thanks for posting. good info to pass along.

tis the season.

evan

this happened to me at my old apartment. i thought it was a scam, but did some research and found out it was actually people from some company that can provide alternative energy sources or something. it's weird, and the way they do it (not clearly stating their purpose) is shady, but they werent doing anything illegal.

evan

ok, did some research. relevenant links here.

"For months, readers have told The Consumerist of fake Con Edison employees showing up on their doorstep. The story is always the same; they open their door to find people in Con Ed outfits almost demanding that the customer sign a form to save 7% on their bills. The "Con Ed" employee then demands to see the bill and thrust their fingers at the part where it says you can save by switching to an alternate energy supplier. But they don't actually work for Con Ed; in fact, they work for IDT Energy."

lostingreenwoodhts

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

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!

Anyone gonna file a complaint?

carnivore

They're out in force again today. I just slammed my door right in one of their faces! Very satisfying.

god

Had a knock on my door today. Looked through the peep hole. It was the IDT people. Told them to please wait a moment. Open the door with a Baseball bat in my hand. Asked them if they saw the No Solicitations sign in the lobby. They said they did not. Told them they need to go read it. They left my building.