Additionally, agents who conduct door-to-door activities, or appear at public events, are required to wear an identification badge, and consumers should immediately seek proper identification before engaging a door-to-door salesperson. Protection Plus Solutions is the leader when it comes to the best comprehensive Public Utility Commission (PUC) required background check and other screening solutions for your business and valued customers. Energy Suppliers that use PPS to conduct their vendor background checks can also order ID badges that provide the correct information of the vendor company. ID badges can be emailed ahead of time to a customer, so they know exactly who’s entering their home or business. Please check out our verify ID badge example found on the PPS website.
BADGE REQUIREMENTS
A Vendor identification Badge Must Include :
- Accurately identify the supplier, including its trade name and logo;
1 - Display a photograph of the sales agent;2
- how the full name of the sales agent;3
- Be prominently displayed; and4
- Include a customer-service phone number to contact the supplier.5
Upon first contact with a customer, an agent must identify himself/herself by name, the energy supplier being represented, and the reason for the visit.
Energy sales agents must make clear that they are not working for, and are independent of, the customer’s local utility or any other supplier. Additionally, agents may not wear apparel or accessories – or even carry equipment containing branding elements – that suggests a relationship with a utility, government agency, or other supplier.
AVOIDING DECEPTIVE OR HIGH-PRESSURE SALES
The Public Utility Commission (PUC) urges consumers to avoid intimidating sales pitches pressuring them to act now, reminding them that they are not required to choose a competitive supplier for their electricity or natural gas supply. However, should they elect to enter a contract with a competitive supplier, residents should expect the following once the supplier’s sales agent completes a transaction:
- Before the agent leaves the residence, the customer should receive a copy of each signed or initialed document relating to the transaction;1
- The agent must explain the supplier’s verification process that is used to confirm the customer’s intent to switch suppliers;2
- The agent must provide the customer with a full disclosure statement with all contractual terms and conditions along with a shorter contract summary that highlights the most important terms; and3
- Agents must remind customers that they may rescind the transaction within three business days after receiving the disclosure statement.4
Agents must immediately leave a residence when requested to do so, and furthermore must honor a customer’s request to be exempted from future door-to-door sales and marketing activities. Upon receipt of such a request, the agent notifies the supplier, which removes the customer from their databases within two business days.
Customers facing an aggressive sales agent or suspecting a potential scam are urged to contact the PUC’s Bureau of Consumer Services at 1-800-692-7380 and consider filing an informal complaint. Consumers who feel threatened or are concerned about their safety should contact local authorities to report the incident.
ABOUT THE PUC
The Public Utility Commission (PUC) balances the needs of consumers and utilities; ensures safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protects the public interest; educates consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; furthers economic development; and fosters new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.
