Att. Gen. Takes Actions Against Just Energy

US Energy Savings now operating as Just Energy.

US energy savings is an alternative energy supplier that makes millions selling natural gas to home and businesses. Last night CBS 2 Investigate disclose how it salesman use apparently deceptive tactics to sign customers to five years fixed rate contract. Now Pam Zekman reports those tactics have gotten the company in big trouble with the Illinois Attorney General.

US Energy Saving and its 5 offices around Chicago are feeling the heat tonight. The attorney general office has filed this lawsuit citing more than 3000 complaints in the last 36 months about the company's sales tactic.

Ranging from false statement of savings, to false offers, to cancel contract without a penalty.

"It's horrible they're taking advantage of senior citizens, they're taking advantage of people who don't speak English, they're taking a advantage of everybody."

People like Fabiola Giarza, who speaks very little English. US Energy Savings convinced her that she will save money by signing a contract to pay it $1.19 per therm, almost double what she was paying for with Peoples Gas.

If he understood that with you ever have sign this contract? Of course not

As a trainee, our undercover producer learns salesman are taught to tell customers they'll save money. A claim this company official told me it's not approved.

Then how does he justify his name "US Energy Savings"?

Even your name US Energy Savings, imply they're save money.

"Investors put their savings into the company."

But what about customers?

"The fact that they save on peace of mind and the understanding that they won't be hit with large or increase natural gas bills."

Another misleading claim the lawsuit alleges. It seeks more than $15 million in fines, contracts canceled without penalty, and restitution for customers.

"This is just a terrible deal for people. They didn't understand the contract they were entering into. This practice has to stop."

The Attorney General also said she'll put for legislation that will better regulate the way these company operates or put them out of business. Pam Zekman CBS 2 News

A US Energy Savings official said today while disappointed at the lawsuit they intend to address the allegation with the Attorney General and seek the constructive resolution.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Just Energy
• Scam
• fraud
• US Energy Saving

[tobago104]

my husband and i own a bar. we also own the building next door to the bar. one of the crooked scam artists from us energy/just energy came into the bar some years ago and asked the BARTENDER if he knew who owned the building next door. somehow, that authorized them to slime their way onto my gas bill for the building that had NOTHING to do with the bar or bartender. now, they call the bar asking for money. TERRIBLE!!!

[homebusinessnetwork]

these guys are crooks, they use Momentis energy now as their new name, i signed up and my bill skyrocketed, then the hounded down my phone, they are running a MLM pyramid scheme right now with master scam artist and crooks

[RedMage86]

@jonson771 The guy got my gas bill account. I did sign it. I do have a contract though and it says that I can cancel transaction within 10 business days of the date on the utility bill that confirms you have switched your gas supply to just energy

But I did not authorize the transaction over the phone though.,

[RedMage86]

@jonson771 Unfortunetly I am one of those idiots. The thing is though, he called someone on my phone then left, I told the guy on the phone that I did not want the service and he said ok and that it wouldn't be processed. Is that the end of it then?

[KamauAmani]

YO THIS IS NOT JUST ENERGY! I WENT TO THE ORIENTATION AND THEY TELL YOU TO LET THEM KNOW THAT WE CANNOT GUARANTEED THAT THEY WILL SAVE MONEY. WE ARE NOT TO TALK TO SENIOR CITIZENS. THEY DO NOT CHARGE $1.19 A THERM. THEY GO BY CCF AND ONLY CHARGE .70 FOR REGULAR SERVICE AND .90 FOR GREEN SERVICE.

[colonelwhiskey]

i do a similar job here in australia where identical things are occurring. i realized it was a scam as well but i just wanna point this out to people, the sales reps that come to your door are just as clueless as you are in most cases in terms of what is going on. they get lured into the job and promised all kind of things while they are told they are helping people. The directors of the marketing companies they work for are the real con artists of the whole deal. so go easy on us next time.

[manuelrz65]

they are right i got the visit of one their reps saying he was an inspector from ConEDISOn,saying he was there to fix what people are doing because is wrong,they were like 15 guys around this area in new york,11369 hopefully they can be stop,legally the slamming peoples account's on their side because they are very agressive and convince people that they are doing the right thing,unbeliavble!

[lemorpion1]

dang it! i just signed a contract with them but cancelled as soon as the salesman left.i called them on my computer and was told to use a phone instead,she thought i was recording her and was very nice and understanding.i'm still sending the written cancellation form but its the weekend and it has to be done within three days.as soon as the guy left i googled the company and could'nt find a single positive comment about them.i dont want to be fined $75.00 for every damn year in the 5yr.contract.

[gotNoMama]

My wife got suckered by the Just Energy people. Illinoise filed suit and won so now theyre in Indiana pulling the same story.

We pay .42 per therm and Just Energy set price at .77. Where is that savings??? Who said we will live here or be alive in 5 years?? I called Nicor and asked- they have NEVER seen these programs to save anyone money when they stick you for 300.00 cancellation fee and if you stay with them it will cost you 600.00 MORE per year right off the bat.

No permit either!

[Lordofthenipplerings]

Economy is pretty rough. Many are forced to do door to door sales of services that do not really exist or add little benefit to the consumer.