defaulter alarm and free market puzzle

Caserta is the second province of Campania, after Naples, for arrears in the electricity sector and for recognition of the social bonus. This was revealed by Arera data, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, Networks and the Environment in reference to the new rules of the free energy and gas market, which since January has involved around five million Italian families. Numbers that tell of a province that was already struggling to pay its bills before the transition from the protected to the free energy service, let alone today when the jungle of offers is disorienting and reliable information is scarce. A maze of alternative solutions which has affected the gas market since January 10th, and which from July 1st will also concern the energy market. And in the face of daily pressure from call centers, there is little information from credible and accredited bodies. But, in any case, if the “non-vulnerable” end customer does not sign up for a free market offer, the supply will automatically pass to the Gradual Protection Service.

Until June 30th it is always possible for the user who is in the free market to request to return to the Greater Protection service which for Caserta is the Sen. «We are worried about the imminent and complete opening of the free electricity market set for July 1st – says Ovidio Marzaioli, national deputy secretary and regional president of the Consumer Movement – because it could lead to further negative consequences in the province compared to the level of energy poverty already established, and not only. It is necessary to push hard on a correct information campaign for users that counteracts misleading advertising and guides the consumer towards correct and informed choices”. But how and where to get information? «First of all there is the Arera offers portal while to have even more awareness there is the “consumption portal”, on which it is possible to check the real consumption, not those estimated by the supplier but taken by the local distributor, in the two years preceding the offer. They are unknown tools, and it is here that the associations have a fundamental role in asking Arera and the Government to make funds available to make people understand which market is affected by the news and what the defense tools are. But we in Caserta will do more, thanks to the opportunity offered by the Municipality to all the Third Sector associations with the co-planning of the so-called “social newsstand””.

What is it about? «Of a virtual newsstand where, in addition to sharing books and newspapers, it will be possible to inform citizens on hot topics such as those related to energy, but also on how to deal with over-indebtedness. We understand that there are many people who have contracted debts that they are no longer able to honor, and who risk ending up in the net of usury just because they ignore the possibilities offered by financing bodies. Even in this, our offices act as a valid aid to the work of Caf and Patronati, but this is not enough, especially to reach the weakest groups”. An example above all is provided by the misinformation that characterizes the start of the national advertising campaign. But nothing will change for “vulnerable” customers: those in economically disadvantaged conditions, those over 75 and those with disabilities or who have a disabled relative in the family (law 104). It is easy to identify the first two categories, between registry registers and bonus recipients, while those who benefit from 104 will have to sign a self-certification of vulnerability. «But no one is informed of this – says Marzaioli – and few have the opportunity to go to Caf and Patronati. This must be the reference target for correct and democratic information.”

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