- Report: #258627
Complaint Review: Ontario Energy Savings LP - Mississauga Ontario
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Ontario Energy Savings LP
6345 Dixie Road, Suite 200 Mississauga, L5T 2E6 Ontario, Canada
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888-590-9753
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Ontario Energy Savings LP Misrepresentation fraudulent contract lying sales agents ripoff Mississauga Ontario
I would like to submit a complaint regarding unethical practices by the Ontario Enery Savings company, in hopes that someone can assist me.
I am an air force member posted to a military base in Trenton, Ontario. In 2006, I was sent to another province on a six-month course. While I was away, my common-law spouse filed for separation, but I allowed her and our children to stay in the military housing that I rented, until I returned. During the time that we were separated, she was approached by a door-to-door marketer who led her to believe that he represented Hydro One (our electricity company). We have a "no soliciters" sign on the door, and the base doesn't allow soliciting, so she was under the impression that he was legitimate.
He pressured her into agreeing to lock the rate of electricity, guaranteeing that by locking it, the bill would decrease significantly and would always stay lower. He confirmed this several times and showed her some graphs and documents which seemed to support that he was offering much lower rates. She mentioned to him that the bill was in my name only, and that she did not have power of attorney. She wanted to wait and speak to me, but he told her that if she didn't take advantage that day, I would not be eligible for savings. He assured her that everything would stay the same, and would simply be cheaper, and that I would be billed as always by Hydro One.
She also balked at locking the rate for 5 years- she pointed out that I was in the military and could be posted anytime, on short notice. He assured her that it could be cancelled if requested. She was unsure of how to list her relationship to me, as we were separated, and was told to simply put "spouse", so that the 'savings' could start immediately.
I was never informed of the switch, as she was under the impression that nothing changed, aside from paying a better price. In retrospect, she can see that she was fooled by the same techniques used on so many others! A more ethical soluation for this company would be to ensure that they are speaking to the account holder when making these sales pitches. I have now read of housesitters, teenage children, and the elderly being duped into signing these agreements on someone else's behalf- does this not violate privacy laws?
Eventually, my spouse and I reconcilled. I am currently deployed again until November. This month, my spouse was stunned at the electricity bill, and called Hydro One to help her figure out why the bill was so high. It was $163 for one month, which seemed ridiculous, as she does not use the clothes dryer, has energy saving bulbs, and has used the air conditioner just twice this summer. We try to conserve electricity as much as possible, and the bill made no sense. She called Hydro One, thinking that something was wrong with the wiring in the house. Because of the Privacy Act, they weren't able to give her any information, although the agent did tell her that I was signed up with Ontario Energy Savings. I was very upset to learn about this- I told her that she had no authorization to make changes to any of my accounts, and if she had, she needed to rectify this. In fact, most companies I deal with will not even speak with her on my behalf when I want her to make changes, due to the Privacy laws.
In confusion, she called them, and was told that she had signed a 5 year contract on my behalf. She was appalled at the difference in rates (9.5 cents per Kw versus 5.3 cents at Hydro One), and asked them to please cancel the contract, as we cannot afford the high rates. She was told that they would only cancel it if I paid them $550+.
The supervisor told her that they had pre-purchased the electricity for me for the next five years. She wondered why they would do that, since I am military and could be posted on short notice. They obviously knew that, since they were soliciting on a military base! They refused to cancel the contract.
I have also written to the BBB, and to a reporter at the Star. I do have documents from Revenue Canada from this time period stating that she was separated at the time that she was duped into signing these papers. I'm wondering if this makes a contract in my name invalid? I've been reading up on contracts and third parties, but haven't found many answers. It makes my blood boil that this agent took advantage of my deployment in order to swindle my overwhelmed spouse. As a one-income family, we just can't afford $163 a month for electricity, nor can we afford a $550 buy-out, and we just don't know what to do. I have since learned that they have also swindled other spouses while their loved one is deployed. They seem to have a habit of targetting those in difficult situations (ie. the elderly, teenagers, military members)
I do realise that you likely hear stories like this everyday. If you have any words of advice, or can refer me to anyone, please feel free to email!
If you made it this far, thank you for reading!
Derrick
Trenton, Ontario
Canada
STOP! ..before you think about using the Better Business Bureau (BBB)... CLICK HERE to see how other consumers were victimized by the BBB's false or misleading information. Don't be fooled! It has been reported, when there are thousands of complaints and other investigations underway by authorities, the BBB has no choice but to finally give an UNsatisfactory rating to a BBB member business that is paying the BBB big membership fees every year. When a business is reported that is NOT a BBB member, BBB files WILL more likely show an UNsatisfactory rating, then reportedly shake down that company to become a member of the BBB. One positive thing about the BBB is, either way, if a business has an unsatisfactory rating with the BBB, you can be sure, the business is bad. But what about all those BBB member businesses that had complaints filed against them? Consumers never get to hear about them. What about the BBB advertising to the public? Is this a false and misleading perception they are giving about consumer confidence when dealing with a business? Click here to understand more of what consumers and business alike are saying about the BBB. You decide. ..Remember. The BBB membership is not earned, it's paid for!
I am an air force member posted to a military base in Trenton, Ontario. In 2006, I was sent to another province on a six-month course. While I was away, my common-law spouse filed for separation, but I allowed her and our children to stay in the military housing that I rented, until I returned. During the time that we were separated, she was approached by a door-to-door marketer who led her to believe that he represented Hydro One (our electricity company). We have a "no soliciters" sign on the door, and the base doesn't allow soliciting, so she was under the impression that he was legitimate.
He pressured her into agreeing to lock the rate of electricity, guaranteeing that by locking it, the bill would decrease significantly and would always stay lower. He confirmed this several times and showed her some graphs and documents which seemed to support that he was offering much lower rates. She mentioned to him that the bill was in my name only, and that she did not have power of attorney. She wanted to wait and speak to me, but he told her that if she didn't take advantage that day, I would not be eligible for savings. He assured her that everything would stay the same, and would simply be cheaper, and that I would be billed as always by Hydro One.
She also balked at locking the rate for 5 years- she pointed out that I was in the military and could be posted anytime, on short notice. He assured her that it could be cancelled if requested. She was unsure of how to list her relationship to me, as we were separated, and was told to simply put "spouse", so that the 'savings' could start immediately.
I was never informed of the switch, as she was under the impression that nothing changed, aside from paying a better price. In retrospect, she can see that she was fooled by the same techniques used on so many others! A more ethical soluation for this company would be to ensure that they are speaking to the account holder when making these sales pitches. I have now read of housesitters, teenage children, and the elderly being duped into signing these agreements on someone else's behalf- does this not violate privacy laws?
Eventually, my spouse and I reconcilled. I am currently deployed again until November. This month, my spouse was stunned at the electricity bill, and called Hydro One to help her figure out why the bill was so high. It was $163 for one month, which seemed ridiculous, as she does not use the clothes dryer, has energy saving bulbs, and has used the air conditioner just twice this summer. We try to conserve electricity as much as possible, and the bill made no sense. She called Hydro One, thinking that something was wrong with the wiring in the house. Because of the Privacy Act, they weren't able to give her any information, although the agent did tell her that I was signed up with Ontario Energy Savings. I was very upset to learn about this- I told her that she had no authorization to make changes to any of my accounts, and if she had, she needed to rectify this. In fact, most companies I deal with will not even speak with her on my behalf when I want her to make changes, due to the Privacy laws.
In confusion, she called them, and was told that she had signed a 5 year contract on my behalf. She was appalled at the difference in rates (9.5 cents per Kw versus 5.3 cents at Hydro One), and asked them to please cancel the contract, as we cannot afford the high rates. She was told that they would only cancel it if I paid them $550+.
The supervisor told her that they had pre-purchased the electricity for me for the next five years. She wondered why they would do that, since I am military and could be posted on short notice. They obviously knew that, since they were soliciting on a military base! They refused to cancel the contract.
I have also written to the BBB, and to a reporter at the Star. I do have documents from Revenue Canada from this time period stating that she was separated at the time that she was duped into signing these papers. I'm wondering if this makes a contract in my name invalid? I've been reading up on contracts and third parties, but haven't found many answers. It makes my blood boil that this agent took advantage of my deployment in order to swindle my overwhelmed spouse. As a one-income family, we just can't afford $163 a month for electricity, nor can we afford a $550 buy-out, and we just don't know what to do. I have since learned that they have also swindled other spouses while their loved one is deployed. They seem to have a habit of targetting those in difficult situations (ie. the elderly, teenagers, military members)
I do realise that you likely hear stories like this everyday. If you have any words of advice, or can refer me to anyone, please feel free to email!
If you made it this far, thank you for reading!
Derrick
Trenton, Ontario
Canada
STOP! ..before you think about using the Better Business Bureau (BBB)... CLICK HERE to see how other consumers were victimized by the BBB's false or misleading information. Don't be fooled! It has been reported, when there are thousands of complaints and other investigations underway by authorities, the BBB has no choice but to finally give an UNsatisfactory rating to a BBB member business that is paying the BBB big membership fees every year. When a business is reported that is NOT a BBB member, BBB files WILL more likely show an UNsatisfactory rating, then reportedly shake down that company to become a member of the BBB. One positive thing about the BBB is, either way, if a business has an unsatisfactory rating with the BBB, you can be sure, the business is bad. But what about all those BBB member businesses that had complaints filed against them? Consumers never get to hear about them. What about the BBB advertising to the public? Is this a false and misleading perception they are giving about consumer confidence when dealing with a business? Click here to understand more of what consumers and business alike are saying about the BBB. You decide. ..Remember. The BBB membership is not earned, it's paid for!
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Anon89
Brampton,Ontario,
Canada
Ex-Employee
#2UPDATE EX-employee responds
Wed, October 08, 2008
I used to work for Energy Savings Group as a CSR up until August 2008. I know you posted this a while ago, but if you are still currently dealing with this, I do have some information. In Ontario, by law, a spouse, common law, or power of attorney has the authority to sign on the account holder's behalf, regardless of whether or not their name is on the bill. If your common law, or spouse, had no authority to sign at that time, due to the fact that you were separated, I would suggest to provide them with any legal documentation of that. Also, I would put through a complaint to the Ontario Energy Board. They provide licenses to any retailers and regulate them as well. They have strict rules in regards to the reaffirmation call that has to be done after signing the agreement and if it does not meet all their standards, the contract is void.
Hector
Ottawa,Ontario,
U.S.A.
I was also visited by Ontario Energy
#3Consumer Comment
Thu, March 20, 2008
And was mislead into signing a 5 year agreement. The agent had already filled out the form and folded it so I could not see what I was signing, he told me he just needed a signature so his supervisors would be able to check on him and see how he did and he could get paid (for a visit informing me of the changes of energy prices coming up in April 2008). I informed the agent that I was the boyfriend of the person living at the apartment and that I did not want to/was interested/had authority to sign up for ANYTHING! with that being repeated to him twice I signed the document which he folded again and put in between some flyers and gave to me. I realized what I had signed 2 minutes later, tried to go outside to find the agent but he was gone. The very next morning I contacted the company and they tried to make me believe I had signed a contract. I put my foot down and I was told the agreement was going to be cancelled (by agent Alegria). Just in case I also sent a letter by fax and an email to the company. I am wondering if there is a law firm that has taken action against Ontario Energy and would like to get in contact with them
Derrick and megan
Trenton,Ontario,
Canada
Ontario Energy Savings LP
#4Author of original report
Wed, July 04, 2007
Update: Telephoned the company one last time in order to give them a chance to remedy the situation. The next step was court. Was shocked to discover that I had also been signed up for GAS services, without my knowledge or consent. The first lady I spoke with let that slip- they didn't mention it the other day! No wonder the gas bills have been so high! My spouse has no idea how we got signed up for gas too! Spoke to a 'manager' named Danique (employee number 75171). He said that if I fax (905-670-5111) him a document confirming separation at the time of the contract signing, he will cancel the contract without penalty. He said that it may take 5-7 days. We'll see what happens!
