Since the first light of dawn today, Tuesday 25 June 2024, searches have been underway by the Milan Postal Police into fraud in electricity and gas supply contracts in various provinces of Italy. What to pay attention to to avoid fraud
They are underway local and IT searches in various provinces, in Italy, and in Albania, in Tirana, as part of the named operation ”Energy Switch” by the agents of the Milan Postal Police, coordinated by the local Public Prosecutor’s Office. The policemen’s operation is aimed at combating fraud in contracts for electricity and gas bills.
Postal agents are seizing paper material from various companies and individuals, and are also analyzing computers and servers in depth. In the police operation dozens of agents have been mobilised of the various Italian sections of the postal service. Further updates regarding the results of the investigative investigation which aims to protect the market and consumers are expected this morning.
In the meantime, it should be remembered that a July there will be the transition to the free market regarding electricity. It is best to pay close attention as it is precisely in this very delicate transition phase that scams risk spreading more frequently both via telephone door to door. Below are some tips to avoid falling into the scammers’ network. To start, it is essential to never provide, for example, two numbers – the Pod and the Pdr – present in the bill, because they could be used to activate contracts, and last but not least: never say ‘yes’ during phone calls with supposed sellers.
What has happened since July in the free market
The last deadline for citizens who have already chosen the free market but they want to go back and take advantage of the market with gradual protections for next June 30th. From next month (July) for in fact, the era of the protected market ends with electric cars. This will remain only for some vulnerable subjects while for all the others the gradual transition to competition opens.
For now the transition appears light. The Arera – i.e. the Authority that supervises the energy sector – explains that there will be no negative surprises. The adjustment of the old prices of electricity and gas bills to those of the new rules is expected on Thursday 27 June.
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Vademecum to avoid scams
However, it is in this phase that the spread of scams against those who want to save on their bills is much simpler and more widespread. To avoid being defrauded, some parameters must be taken into consideration. First of all, it is important to know that no one will disconnect the electricity from any home or other property during a transition from one type of market to another. Here’s what to pay attention to.
- Never sign a contract in a hurry. And if this happens, you still have two weeks from signature to be able to cancel it with the right of withdrawal and without having to specify any reason.
- Never give your bill to a stranger: especially to door-to-door sellers (often fake) because some of the numbers reported there can be used to activate a contract without the customer being aware of it. These numbers are the Electricity bill pod (12 digits, represents the acronym Point of Delivery) and the Pdr for gas, both identify the point the counter. Never communicate them by telephone.
- Never say the word “yes” on the phone when talking to a seller (or presumed one). In fact, the “YES” could be used to formulate the acceptance of an incorrect proposal, or even worse, a real scam to the detriment of the citizen.
- Beware of trick questions: “Have you had an increase in your bill?”, “Are you Mr. Rossi?”. Never say “Yes”, rather answer with another question such as: “Why are you asking me this?” oreven: “Who’s talking?”.
- At the door or on the telephone, respect the rules: for example, the contract must be sent and the information must be provided in its entirety. In case of signature, the customer must be reminded that the right of withdrawal.
- The identification card and visiting hours: Who knocks on the door of the house should have an identification badge visible (but watch out for that too: because it could turn out to be fake). Instead who calls home he cannot do so after 8:00 pm and never before 8:00 in the morning.
