Door-to-Door Solicitors Asking for Duquesne Light Account Numbers
Duquesne Light and Columbia Gas are warning customers of solicitors asking for account numbers and other personal information.
Pittsburgh police are warning area residents to be careful when opening their doors to solicitors, even if those people are wearing official-looking clothing or logos.
In her post on the Pittsburgh Police Community Safety website Tuesday, Officer Janine Davis said she received an email from a Lawrenceville resident stating that people from a company called Just Energy were going door to door, asking to see residents' Duquesne Light electric bills.
Residents were told that their home address and Duquesne Light account number were needed to ensure that they received a rebate from the Duquesne Light company, according to the report on the community safety website.
She indicated in her post that similar incidents could be happening in other local neighborhoods. Residents in Dormont and Mt. Lebanon also have complained of the issue.
Joseph Vallarian, Manager of Media and Community Relations for Duquesne Light, said the people going door to door are in no way affiliated with Duquesne Light.
"We are not affiliated with any other company," Vallarian said. "We do not go door to door. Duquesne Light does not do telemarketing."
Vallarian said that Duquesne Light is not affiliated with, nor does it endorse, any other company contacting residents in regard to their electric bill. Additionally, he said that Duquesne Light does not share customers' phone numbers or account information with other companies. Should a Duquesne Light employee be called to a customer's home, all Duquesne Light employees carry photo identification issued by the company, he said.
Columbia Gas is also warning its customers of an "Obama Energy Credit" scam. Callers attempt to elicit personal information and account numbers through a bogus offer, but the company says there is no such “energy credit” available and customers are advised to be wary of anyone claiming to represent a utility company asking for personal information and account numbers.
Pittsburgh police posted the following tips on the community safety website for dealing with door-to-door solicitors:
- Do not open your door for unsolicited services.
- If they look official, ask for identification.
- Do not allow them into you home for no reason.
- If you have any concerns call 911.
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Kathie Knorr
2:43 pm on Thursday, August 2, 2012
I had a guy from First Energy come to my house..and i told him who my supplier was and how much i was paying. He told me call my supplier (i am locked in with them for 2 yrs) and tell them to give me the lower killawatt rate. I did that and they gave me the lowest rate! This Co. is only trying to give people a choice for a electric supplier
and the best rate! This guy saved me money! Thankfully, not everyone is out to scam us.
Robert Morris
11:37 am on Saturday, August 4, 2012
These people are going around lowering duquense light customers bills. First energy is not the only company to do this I looked it up online and there are over 20 of these companies all who will save you money on your electric bill. This lady needs to think about what these workers were asking for.... They were asking for her duquense light account number honestly what could they do with her account number other than pay her bill? I cant think of anything bad that they could do with this its not like they asked for a check or for her credit card number. I had a friend who signed me up for this and I am saving 30 percent on the rate that I was paying before on my light bill ask the lady who complained if she has this too?
DormontMOM
10:25 am on Sunday, August 5, 2012
I spoke with the young man and spoke with his supervisor. It was a power provider and they lowered my bill $30 a month. Duquesne Light does not want you talking to them so they can keep your money! Other power providers are distributied through Duquesne Light you don't have to buy your power from Duquesne Light.
Erin Faulk
3:33 pm on Sunday, August 5, 2012
The complaints about this type of solicitation aren't about what the power companies are trying to do to help customers. What the companies are offering is legal and can be helpful.
The problem is that not all of the people going door-to-door are legitimately with power companies - some are scammers, who can use that account info to get other personal info about you. Police are warning people to be careful, so as not to get stuck in a scam.
Also, as KDKA reported recently, other complaints have centered on the fact that some of the legitimate people going door-to-door have acted aggressively, and have refused to leave residents' property when asked to leave: http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2012/08/03/consumers-make-complaints-about-energy-salespeople/