Per an email from Concerned Citizens of Greenwood Heights, who were among the first to sound the alarm about the scam-like practices which IDT energy is engaging all over Brooklyn: “our ever vigilante crew on 23rd St. (don’t mess with us man!) was on the tip as the boys and girls of IDT Energy (most likely via Midtown Productions) had the chutzpah to return to the very neighborhood that outed them in October. That, or the CEO, Chris Polke, at Midtown decided to fire his staff (as he does on a regular basis it seems) and these new recruits had no idea. Here’s the note from our neighbor: “Two gentlemen from IDT were working the block this afternoon. “Can I see your ConEd bill — I need to show you something important.” I told them that everyone on the block knew about them and that they should leave. They continued up the block, ringing doorbells. I followed them, snapping pictures with my cell, which seemed to irritate them & they walked away, around the corner.”
So, this is a heads up that “theyrrrrrrrre back!” Don’t get scammed or slammed. Please let me know directly if you, yet again or for the first time, get hit up by this crew. And don’t show them your Con Ed or Nat. Grid bills! I am presenting this whole case at CB7’s monthly meeting this Wednesday, including (if I get it finished) a flyer on how to not get “ESCOS scammed or slammed” for the public. Perhaps this will prompt our busy local elected to chime in and help out the districts in fighting back these ESCOS scammers, even if it’s just to pick-up our flyer and distribute it in their offices. WE NEED YOUR HELP!
11 responses so far ↓
1 Mamacita // Nov 17, 2008 at 4:34 pm
They’re right now making the rounds in N.Slope off 5th ave. warn your neighbors.
2 Red Hook // Nov 17, 2008 at 6:05 pm
They’ve been doing this for a few years now. It’s not just IDT. There are other companies, too.
I have caught them red handed identifying themselves as from ConEd.
For whatever reason, ConEd and the NY Attorney General have refused to act on this. I suspect it is because the idea of ESCOs (Energy Service Company) has been such a miserable failure in NY, that ConEd is loathe to clamp down on the few ESCOs left. Once upon a time, ESCOs were going to be this wonderful new era of deregulation and independent energy providers. Yay. Turns out, you really can’t make any money reselling energy in NY. So you have to scam people.
It’s been reported on the Consumerist website many, many times. Everyone knows about it. IDT knows about it, ConEd knows about it, NY AG know about it.
3 Z // Nov 17, 2008 at 7:54 pm
They were also in Crown Heights last week, pulling the same thing — ConEd has been overcharging people in this area, can we see your bill so we can fix it?
4 Sara // Nov 18, 2008 at 9:11 am
They were in Red Hook on Friday; the guy said he was from Con Ed AND the gas company, and when I corrected him he said ” oh, I said that we work WITH them, not for them”, and got a little testy. I apologized for taking up his time (!) and explained that everyone in the neighborhood was aware of IDT and unless he wanted his photo on a blog, he should leave, soon.
5 ccgh // Nov 18, 2008 at 9:42 am
Keep the comments coming. We are adding them to our PILE of complaints. I can barely see over my desk!
6 SBK // Nov 18, 2008 at 12:34 pm
They were in Clinton Hill on Friday evening….I opened the door expecting to see either my landlord or plumber [we were out of heat and hot water] but instead saw two young kids with the IDT necklaces/IDs around their neck. They asked if I had a minute and I told them no. They weren’t as bad as other people were reported…they just said “Ok, have a nice night” and kept on moving.
7 Batman // Nov 18, 2008 at 1:41 pm
They were in Carroll Gardens yesterday, two women with IDT badges. Tried to open my door!
8 L // Dec 16, 2008 at 4:38 pm
I JUST had these people come by here in Bushwick. They buzzed in claiming to be from the electric/gas provider. Got to my door and made it seem as if they were from Con-Ed, but offering some reduced rate promotion. Stupidly, I signed but jumped online quick to make sure this wasn’t BS. I ended up on the consumerist and my jaw dropped. Called them and canceled right away. I feel stupid for even opening my door. I wish I heard about this before.
9 PT // Dec 18, 2008 at 8:15 pm
December 18, 2008 (7.30 p.m.)
On 5th Avenue/Center Slope tonight. He got in the building somehow (not buzzed in). I suspect he pushed in. He became belligerent when I said that I was was calling the police, and hurried to leave before the cops arrived.
Put a freeze on your ConEd account so only you can change provider. It is a simple phone call to ConEd.
And check that the door(s) to your building are secure.
PT
10 Kate // Jan 20, 2009 at 2:57 pm
There is also another company called Energy Direct, that is making door to door sales. They just showed up at my door on 125th street and Broadway in Harlem. Same story, they say they are with Con Ed… They are usually silent at the intercom when they try to get into the building. Be careful not to buzz anyone in if you don’t get an answer.
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