Complaint Review: Direct energy - Internet

Ontario Energy Board June 23, 2009
PO Box 2319, 2300 Young St
27th Floor Suite 2701
Toronto On
M4P1E4

Cc: David Christopherson, MP
22 Tisdale St S
Hamilton On L8N2V9

Attention: Brian Hewson

Mr Hewson, I am writing you under that counsel of the office of David Christopherson MP, whom advises that; you might be able to help me.

At some time last fall a man came to my door and introduced him self as being from Union Gas. He asked if I knew what I was paying per cubic meter. I responded no. He then asked to first verify my information and account number on file. I got a bill for him and he said ok thats great however we dint have an email address or phone number on file for you, which I then gave him. Now this man even had papers sticking out of the bottom of his clip board with the union gas name and logo on it.

I was then told that by signing up with Direct Energy we would save some money. I immediately said to the guy, I thought you said you were from Union Gas? He replied that Union Gas has authorized Direct Energy to sell Natural Gas. At that point I informed him that I was not interested in anything other then what the gas company has, thank you, good bye.

I forgot all about this person, when one day I noticed on my Union Gas bill the name Direct Energy. I called Union Gas, and they told me to call Direct Energy.
Direct Energy told me that I had signed up for a 5 year contract. I then filed a complaint with the Ontario Energy Board. The OEB told me that yes I am right, if I did not sign up that this was not right, however, I was also told that there was no enforcement power and that I would have to contact my lawyer.

The response from Direct Energy was a letter which I have enclosed. I spoke to Amanda Smith who nearly laughed at me on the phone saying that I had signed up on the internet. I explained to her what had happened with the agent, yet her response was, we dont do things like that.

I did not sign up, nor did anyone from this house sign up to Direct Energy. The only person that had that information was the man that came to the door. I asked for something with my signature on it, and all I received was a report saying I had signed up over the internet. I then asked for an IP address to be given, which was not.

Frankly I find this to be very scary! Do we now live in a country where the consumer has to prove that he/she did not sign something? Is the burden of proof under contract law not the vendors responsibility? Any person can go sign me up to something, and that is it?

Mr Hewson I would very much appreciate you assistance. If there is a tribunal that I can go before I will. There has to be a way for me to defend myself against these people without paying a lawyer I would hope.

Dec 18,2009

to this day, no one can help me, not the MP no one. I am thinking of filling at small claim cost of $5000 and let the judg figure it out. I asked this amanda person twice to send me a total amount to get out of there fake contract so that I can sue them for that, then pay them that, yet the figure has never been sent as they are ignoring me now.I am sop fustrated I kinda put it to the back of my mind, when today Dec 18,2009 my Partner called me to tell me that a rep from Direct Energy was at the door, and this person was made because he was told we were not interested in gas electrical contracts, and replacing our hot water heater, the rep said what do you mean your not interested in a loud voice. The point is not the money as much as the point that If DIrect Energy says 1+2 is 4 then that is what it is. Who else is going to start this. What good are rights when they are not enforced, can anyone take your information and sign you up?

Here there are hundreds of other Ontario residence having problems with this company, yet no on can help us.

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