A viewer reached out to the 8 On Your Side team after someone came to her door and asked to see her utility bills.We contacted the state to find out about door-to-door energy sales.People are permitted to come to your door to try to get you to switch electric or natural gas suppliers, but they must follow certain rules and regulations.Energy suppliers are required to do criminal background checks on their door-to-door agents.The workers must wear identification badges that display their full name and a photo. The badges should accurately identify who they work for and include a customer service phone number.If you do agree to switch suppliers, agents must remind you that you may cancel the transaction within three business days.The News 8 viewer wondered why the salesperson wanted to see her electric bills, and we took that question to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.A spokesperson said that while a monthly bill includes information that could be useful when shopping around, it also includes your account number and billing information. These are the “keys” to accessing your account.The PUC recommends that you safeguard that information and don’t hand over your utility bill to a stranger.If you want to shop on your own, you can do that online. The PUC operates neutral, independent websites:Electric suppliers: PAPowerSwitch.comNatural gas suppliers: PAGasSwitch.com
A viewer reached out to the 8 On Your Side team after someone came to her door and asked to see her utility bills.
We contacted the state to find out about door-to-door energy sales.
People are permitted to come to your door to try to get you to switch electric or natural gas suppliers, but they must follow certain rules and regulations.
Energy suppliers are required to do criminal background checks on their door-to-door agents.
The workers must wear identification badges that display their full name and a photo. The badges should accurately identify who they work for and include a customer service phone number.
If you do agree to switch suppliers, agents must remind you that you may cancel the transaction within three business days.
The News 8 viewer wondered why the salesperson wanted to see her electric bills, and we took that question to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.
A spokesperson said that while a monthly bill includes information that could be useful when shopping around, it also includes your account number and billing information. These are the “keys” to accessing your account.
The PUC recommends that you safeguard that information and don’t hand over your utility bill to a stranger.
If you want to shop on your own, you can do that online. The PUC operates neutral, independent websites: