Residents Question Energy Company’s Sales Tactics

– Allison Goldsberry

Just Energy, a company that describes itself as a “green energy retailer,” is leaving Medford residents with some confusion as people who claim to be its salespeople go door to door in the city.

According to Alicia Hunt, a member of Green Medford and an energy efficiency coordinator for the city, the company has a troubled past. According to Hunt, Green Medford did some research on the company and discovered it had over 400 complaints against it filed with the Better Business Bureau and had action taken against it by Attorneys General in four other states for deceitful marketing practices, among other things.

Several Medford residents have complained about “pushy” Just Energy salespeople knocking on doors. One man said a salesman kept repeating “let’s get you signed up” and didn’t answer his questions about how much money he would save. According to a Medford woman, a salesman has come to her house twice in the past two weeks and when she told him she heard his company was “scamming people,” he told her to call the police if she was worried about a scam.

In a CBS Boston report on the company in June, Just Energy released the following statement:

“Our current operating practices are designed to reduce and eliminate unauthorized sales statements or actions.”

According to the report, Just Energy has a license to operate in the state. Hunt said the company needs to get a permit from the City Clerk’s office to go door to door in Medford and it didn’t appear Just Energy had started the permit process as of last week.

Susan Altman, a member of Green Medford and a part-time Mass Climate Action Network (MCAN) employee working on energy conservation, urges people to be cautious when approached by companies looking to save consumers money and energy.

“Avoid signing any documents with Just Energy or other companies that say you can save money by switching your account from National Grid to them, unless you have thoroughly thoroughly investigated them and know them to be reputable,” said Altman.

According to Altman, “the easiest and cheapest way” to lower energy cost is conservation. She said residents can get free energy audits to help determine the best way to conserve energy. A free program set up by Mass Climate Action Network (MCAN) and Mass Energy Consumers Alliance, both 501c3 nonprofits in Massachusetts, allows for free energy audits, which people can sign up for at www.HomeEnergyCheck.org or by calling 866-527-7283.