Help with the IDT/Con Ed scam

hexatron · March 2009

Hey guys, IDT got my girlfriend to sign one of their change-of-service forms last fall, dressed as Con Ed workers. The thing is, her name isn't even on the account.

I called Con Ed as soon as the first bill showed up with IDT on it, and they said, "Oh yeah, they've been scamming people for years." And he told me I was removed from their service. Months later, I'm still getting bills from Con Ed that say IDT on them, and they're ridiculously high because of IDT. Con Ed is saying there's nothing they can do, and they're saying I have to pay IDT's prices or they'll shut us down.

Obviously this is illegal in a number of ways, but I don't know what I can do about it. I don't have the money to pay for this crap, and I don't have a lawyer. Has anyone had any experience with successfully reversing an IDT scam?

btw: IDT isn't even in the BBB database. So... no luck there.

arches · March 2009

Subject: Re: Help with the IDT/Con Ed scam

Hexatron wrote: btw: IDT isn't even in the BBB database. So... no luck there.

They are, but only in New Jersey, where they appear to be headquartered.

http://newjersey.bbb.org/WWWRoot/Report.aspx?site=89&bbb=0221&firm=29000773

They get an "F" rating - but apparently they run some sort of semi-scam phone card company too. Anyway, there's contact info for their general counsel on there...perhaps she'd like to hear from you.

I'm assuming you already tried all these customer service numbers?
http://www.idtenergy.com/contactus.aspx

stacey · March 2009

Call the NYC Public Service Commission and file a complaint. They will give you a case or complaint number. Call IDT tell them that you are not going to deal with them and have filed a complaint with the PSC and give them the complaint number. I had to do this with the telephone company and within a week I had the charges off my bill.

http://www.dps.state.ny.us/New_complaintdept.html

hexatron · March 2009

thanks guys. i feel better about my chances.

paxman · March 2009

I used to work for IDT and they are located at 520 Broad street. The 800 number more than likely points to their call center in Puerto Rico. Good luck getting anything out of there. You should try and call the main switchboard at (973) 438-1000. Although, when their street team(read:thugs) came to my house and I asked them who was in charge, the kids couldn't even formulate a sentence. They said it was out of the queens office. The only queens office I am aware of has since been moved to Newark. Good luck. PM me if you need anymore info.

brklyn11 · March 2009

Subject: IDT in the neighborhood again

Last week, I had a visit from IDT Energy. Looks like they are back.

It was a blond, 40-something white woman with excessive amounts of make up. Told her to leave the building. When she refused, I said I would call the police. After shouting obscenities and yelling at me, she eventually left.

Also, on Rodney Street , looks like an IDT employee stole someone's dog.

http://consumerist.com/5181115/idt-accused-of-stealing-readers-dog

Classy outfit.

bkchickie · March 2009

There was another thread about this on Brooklynian. I remember reading through it and finding a few links to sites (consumerist might be one) where you can find ways to deal with these scummy scammers.

lo kee · March 2009

One of these punks (a female, about 20 something looking) came to my door two months ago. I took one look at her and her clipboard, said "no" and slammed the door in her face.

She said nothing but looked a bit taken aback, as the door was slamming.

F them.

Good luck.

rhodamine · March 2009

Subject: Re: Help with the IDT/Con Ed scam

Hexatron wrote: Has anyone had any experience with successfully reversing an IDT scam?

i recommend guilting your girlfriend into resolving this for you... after all, its her fault.

hexatron · March 2009

Subject: Re: Help with the IDT/Con Ed scam

rhodamine wrote: [quote=Hexatron]Has anyone had any experience with successfully reversing an IDT scam?

i recommend guilting your girlfriend into resolving this for you... after all, its her fault.

no one will talk to you unless your name is on the account.
which is ironic, because her name didn't have to be on the account to completely change services.

idlewild · March 2009

Now Us Energy Savings is hitting the bricks and ringing doorbells.

carapace shell · March 2009

I just saw a bunch of people on Sterling with "official" looking ID badges and clipboards. Is this what you're talking about?

underhill_mt · March 2009

They came to our house on Underhill yesterday, but I was nursing our 2 & 1/2 week old and my husband answered the door. He told them to go away. Not sure what "company" they were with, but they were def thug looking and sporting official-looking badges.

underhill_mt · March 2009

The husband just confirmed - the guys who came to our door yesterday were from US Energy Savings.

hexatron · April 2009

so it turns out that, somehow, anyone in a household over 18 can legally sign you over to a different provider. lame.

underhill_mt · April 2009

US Energy Savings came to my door AGAIN today. I thought it was the mail guy at first, so I stopped nursing my 3 week old and answered the door. As soon as I saw the clipboard with the logo I told the guy other people from US Energy Savings had already been to my house and we weren't interested. My son wasn't thrilled about having his lunch interrupted and I wasn't thrilled about them coming to my door again. I'm getting the feeling they're going to be hitting our neighborhood a lot lately.

armchair_warrior · April 2009

mines or bear trap for these guys should thin out he herd!!!

my friends dad got trick into changing services.

underhill_mt · April 2009

^^^ That sucks! How do these people still get so many people to switch when it's such a scam??

armchair_warrior · April 2009

my friends dad got declare mentally incapable of deciding anything over a decade ago. hell I took the guy to his jury summons with court papers. LOL i wish i had that piece of paper from lawyers and doctors.

guy rings bell and talks and talks, ask for bill. his dad gives him bill and next thing you know. my friend finds out his company got changed.

jarvis · May 2009

IDT is coming around p. heights right now..

opossumqueen · May 2009

One came to our place in the Slope a week or so back and she was pushy. Really pushy and I didn't even pretend to be friendly or care.

Help with the IDT/Con Ed scam

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