There has been an increased number of complaints from homeowners who have been solicited by individuals claiming to be associated with the Ontario Energy Board.
They have received more than 710 complaints related to energy scams this year across the province.
Typically, a homeowner will be contacted by way of telephone by someone requesting to conduct a green energy assessment in person.
This would be to qualify for a green energy rebate or Ontario Rebate Program for COVID-19 relief.
Once in the home, the representative uses high pressure sales tactics to have the homeowner purchase products and services in order to qualify for the rebate.
The OEB says it doesn’t engage and isn’t involved in any type of sales activity.
In 2019, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre received 1,641 complaints related to service scams affecting 863 Ontario residents, for a loss of $2,878,898.
On March 1, 2018, Ontario banned unsolicited, door-to-door sales of certain household appliances to better protect consumers from aggressive and misleading contracting at home. The new rules apply to air cleaners, air conditioners, air purifiers, duct cleaning services, furnaces, water filters, water heaters, water purifiers, water softeners, water treatment devices as well as bundles of these goods and services.
On January 1, 2017, Ontario banned energy retailers from signing up customers for an energy contract while at their homes to give consumers the ability to make choices about their energy supply at their own pace and with better information.
