Practices of energy scoundrels
Since July last year, the rules of business in the energy sector have been changed. Intermediaries, which until now were under the supervision of the Czech Trade Inspection, are now under the control of the Energy Regulatory Office. Intermediary business is possible only on the basis of a license issued by ERO.
However, dishonest intermediaries – so-called energy fraudsters – are still active. The most common victims of fraud are the elderly, to whom fraudsters present themselves as representatives of their supplier, the Energy Regulatory Office or a distributor.
“The excuse for visiting is to check the account. When you send them, they will calculate the savings you will get if you sign a new contract with them. Another common trick is to sign an energy supply contract, while the door-to-door salesman presents the document as a harmless confirmation of his visit. The contract can also result from a document that is presented as a non-binding offer,” the director points out consumer organizations dTest Eduarda Hekšová.
Door-to-door salesmen are still active
Although the Energy Regulatory Office can sanction an entrepreneur for violating the Energy Act, it cannot impose a fine for door-to-door sales. It follows from municipal regulations.
“ERÚ can influence, for example, an intermediary who would offer energy without the necessary registration. But if he violates the ban on door-to-door selling, which is prescribed by the municipal ordinance, he should first call the city police. In that case, only the municipality itself can impose a fine for energy waste. Contacting the city police is also important because of the speed with which the local police can intervene and which is also important for securing evidence,” he explains. Markéta Zemanová, member of the ERÚ Council.
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Complaints about door-to-door sellers are now collected both in ERO and in municipalities. Many of them are connected to dishonest entrepreneurs in the energy sector.
“They pretend to be employees of energy suppliers or distributors, hide behind various authorities, in short, force people to sign contracts under various false pretenses,” he says. Radka Vladyková from the Community of Cities and Municipalities of the Czech Republic.
The Energy Regulatory Office is now preparing an information campaign in cooperation with the Union of Cities and Municipalities of the Czech Republic.
Municipalities must change the ban on door-to-door sales
After the amendments to the Law on Energy, intermediaries in the energy sector operate according to the Law on Energy, and do not trade as before. “Municipalities or cities can use § 11p of the Energy Act. This clearly speaks of the possibilities of the municipality to establish that the provision of services performed outside business premises during the performance of intermediary activities in the energy sectors in the municipality or in its part is prohibited,” explains Radka Vladyková.
Therefore, municipalities should amend the existing market regulations in this matter and follow the Law on Energy. ERO is now preparing a detailed methodology for representatives of cities and municipalities together with the Community of Cities and Municipalities. At the same time, he also warns consumers about door-to-door salesmen’s practices.