ENEL Energia, disproportionate increase in electricity and gas bills: AGCM launches investigation

L’Competition and Market Guarantor Authority has opened an investigation against ENEL Energy to verify the possible implementation of unfair commercial practices in accordance with the provisions of resolution 1/1/2015 n. 25411. 600 complaints have been received by AGCM since January 2024 in which consumers and representatives of micro-businesses complain about a “significant increase in the price of gas and electricity supplies” in the bills for the period October 2023 – January 2024 compared to the values ​​of the previous year. We remind you that just over a month ago Enel Energia received a fine of 79 million euros from the Privacy Guarantor for aggressive telemarketing.

Users reported in particular:

• the difficulty in pay quadrupled bills or quintupled
• the impossibility of exercise the right of withdrawal or to switch to another operator following the unilateral contractual change, as there was no communication via app from ENEL Energia
• the receipt in some cases of an email from Enel Energia ended up in spam which describes the contractual variations (which are not even mentioned in the title). There is a possibility that the email was “artfully packaged to be intercepted by the anti-spam filter“

The preliminary investigation procedure initiated will verify any violation of the articles. 20, 24 and 25 of the Consumer Code:

• art. 20: unfair commercial practices
• art. 24: aggressive business practices
• art. 25: use of harassment, coercion or undue influence

Enel Energia sent a comment on the story we report below:

With reference to the decision of the Competition and Market Authority to initiate proceedings against Enel Energia for alleged unfair commercial practices in relation to the methods of drafting and sending communications for the renewal of the economic conditions for the supply of electricity and gas, the Company believes it has always acted in full compliance with primary and sector regulations, as well as contractual regulations. Enel Energia is confident that it will be able to demonstrate the full correctness of its actions as the proceedings continue.

Opening image credits: Pixabay