with the free market in electricity and gas, attempts at deception have increased. The rules for defending yourself

ANCONA – More and more aggressive, they tell lies and play on half-truths, they present themselves in false guises and extract a yes from the telephone which they manipulate as if it were a consensus. Between door to door and call centres, more and more people from the Marche are falling into the trap of the free market in both gas and electricity. To the point that the energy supply companies themselves draw up a set of rules to protect their customers.

The alarm

In particular, companies rooted in the territory such as Astea Energia, founded one hundred years ago as a municipal company in Osimo and Recanati and today a player in the constellation of the Romagna Sgr in Central Italy and beyond. «What caught our attention – explains the commercial director Lorenzo Pastesini – were the too many absurd questions arriving at our counters». Stories of well-dressed people asking to be able to check the correct functioning of the meter and demanding the bill to check if the offer had expired and warning that, if a decision is not made immediately, the supply of electricity and electricity will soon be interrupted gas. «This – he explains – happens precisely because few people have in-depth knowledge of energy matters and, therefore, it is easy for unscrupulous operators to instill doubts. A system of lies that came to light precisely because our customers contacted us to gain clarity on their contracts and on the free market. Urban legends – he insists – with the aim of stealing personal data and changing suppliers.” Astea, with the holding Sgr of which it is part, has developed a decalogue to inculcate good habits. «One of our consultants only shows up by appointment – outline the perimeter – and it is possible to have confirmation at a dedicated toll-free number. Then we invite you to check whether the card and forms have our company logo.” The problem is serious. The fraudulent operator almost always wins trust by presenting himself as elegant, affable in his ways and, in some cases, he wins trust by stating that he is an employee of public bodies. He asks to see the meter, the bill, presents himself as a network manager who saves money “because there are no more intermediaries” and then warns that sooner or later, with the transition to the free market, we will be left without electricity. «Our company – reiterates Pastesini – has drawn up a handbook which is not only valid in the case of energy contracts but is a handbook for scams in general which we disclose through our magazine and our website». These are simple but effective protective behaviors especially for older people. How to avoid showing the bills, the contactor without having verified the identity of the person especially if he has not made an appointment; o always check through the peephole and when it opens leave the safety chain attached; or to have someone accompany you when you go to the bank or the post office.

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