Energy suppliers 'still pressure consumers to switch gas providers' - 25/08/2010
Some energy suppliers are still pressurising vulnerable customers to switch gas and electricity providers, consumer rights groups have warned.
Some eight months after new regulations were enforced by Ofgem to crack down on pushy energy salespeople, the Citizens Advice service said it is dealing with complaints from mostly elderly and vulnerable consumers of pressurised energy selling techniques, reports the Daily Mail.
Consumer Focus also reported being very concerned about continued complaints about customers being affected by bad selling practices.
According to experts, the quotes given by energy suppliers' salespeople are usually meaningless because it is very difficult for them to calculate how much customers could save if they switch energy companies unless they know customers' annual usage and the exact name of their tariff.
"If any company is encouraging their employees to break the rules and talk customers into taking up an energy deal that leaves them worse off, there should be strict action from the regulator," Consumer Focus' Hannah Mummery told the Daily Mail.
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