Endomyn
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These people came around claiming to be from CMP (Central Maine Power; our local electric company). They wanted to come inside and take a look at my electric bill. They claimed that due to some new green energy bills that recently passed that I was entitled to discounts, and they wanted to make sure I was getting those discounts. I declined and immediately called CMP who assured me that "In no way are these people affiliated with us. We already have your bill, why would we ask to see it".
I then called the cops who confronted them. According to the officer who spoke with me after, they are an out of state company called "iSolar" and they are trying to get people to switch FROM CMP to their services. He spoke with their "manager" who claimed that his boss hired him who then hired these people. So idk who is even in charge of them at all. Even the officer was disgusted by their phishing/social engineering practices. This manager claimed he would "reeducate" his employees.
This happened in Lewiston and is the second time people like this have come around in the past few months claiming to be specifically from CMP. This isn't an accidental misspeak. They are doing it deliberately. I just want my fellow Mainers to be aware and be safe
Bridgiebird
It's been happening here in Illinois with a different company. I just don't answer the door.
RandomWordSalad
Here in California I got one of the twits. For some reason he had a hard time taking no for an answer until I closed the door in his face
Typhon2727
My policy is never do business with ANYONE who approaches me. In person or otherwise. If I want a service, I research then contact them.
LinkinPiper
Here in Florida, only worst, the guy was asking for the alarm code to input/add new settings/device that will lower electricity bill.
MadamPuddifoot
Worse*
FirstThingThatCameToMind
the door to door version of those middle-eastern scam calls.
copingcabana
That's your Maine problem right there.
Endomyn
Don't ever stop with puns. It's the gift that keeps on giving
activeracer28
Ah yes, the old we're a better company for you and we'll show by manipulating and lying to you to convince we're better selling point.
Yupurineutah
You must be talking about CenturyLink. There's nothing any of the representative say that has any remote relationship to the truth. Scum.
Endomyn
Yeah that clearly shows me how good of a company you represent
Bizarkly
Claiming to be 'from the utility company' is also a well-known scam used to get people with unsavory motives inside your house: stay aware!
shimmernshine
This. For this exact reason, most legit utility companies have policies that forbid their workers from even ASKING to be let in.
etchasetch
Trust no one.
abacab87
I'm a private person, so I don't fall for these, but I've seen many and at the time I didn't know they were scams. One- stereo equipment -
abacab87
out of someone's van, two-guys selling "extra" premium steaks. Three - a renter trying to give me thousands more than the rent. I also got
abacab87
a Nigeria Prince scam long before the internet. Sent me a 3 page hand written letter.
seeyakath
These asshats have a booth set up in actual Walmarts around Chicago. They’ll give you a $10 gift card if you give them your utility account
seeyakath
Number so they can “compare your rates”. They they jack your service.
souleater2847
Yea, different companies around the country do this same tactic. How much you’ll save and all these great promises...99% lies.
AngelyStyx
I did this "job" for like a week. Quit because coworkers basically lied to people to get them and trick then into switching power carriers.
kowala88
Thanks for heads up, I'll keep an eye out. Waterville area here.
Endomyn
Yeah I don't know how far their reach goes but be on the lookout anyways
jansenart
@OP and FUCK Susan Collins.
Endomyn
Unsure of the connection between the two, but yes I agree
jansenart
Maine.
Endomyn
I just meant my post specifically but again I agree. Remember to vote
Snooj
Why do the people who do this always look like the kind of people who would do this? At least put on a fucking hardhat or something.
Revelation678
Who runs a scam with green shoes on?
Endomyn
The same guy that drives a shiny new mustang to do it in
debaucherousRex
Golly gee! Is that a mustang?!
acejlp
An agent from my internet provider tried to pull a stunt like that on me. He got a GDPR lawsuit for illegal use of customer data.
hsyrnyk
There’s a scam like that in Canada too. Only here they ask to see your bill, pay it for you and tell you to have a nice day.
Thirddead
Not sure same company but I have had people do the same in my area.
k20167
I worked in sales with a guy named chase. He got through to a lot of prospects by saying "this is chase calling for ___". We sold adverts.
SylvesterMarcus
That’s not illegal? Impersonating someone from a utility to gain entry to your home?
Mirawatts
Well I guess you technically let them in. All they did was lie.
shimmernshine
That's called fraud.
OneGuyWithSixGuns
It's illegal in Philadelphia. See point #2. https://www.yourphiladelphialawyers.com/practice-areas/criminal-law/misdemeanors/
RetiredLineCook
It’s a scam and a pyramid scheme business. Smh
Fuzzynubz
Had a friend that ended up doing it. EVERYONE told him it was a scam and he was too nice of a guy to pull off the shit these folks are doing
DocTanner
As a Maine resident, I'd love to welcome the fine folks onto my property. ... I have some equipment in the basement that needs testing.
Endomyn
Well we're 85% forest so the remains would be easy to dispose of
BroccoliSucksEatSteak
https://memegenerator.net/instance/48728687/the-lion-king-with-son-everything-the-light-touches-is-maine-whats-that-dark-place-thats-lewisto
slzydud
Unless you selling cookies and you are an 8 year old girl, you have no buisness doing door to door sales. No one wants your product.
Omnipotence0
Yeah most definitely, selling popcorn in boyscouts blows when people know that girl scout cookies exist.
Fengor
For real, you just can't move that nasty boyscout popcorn when everyone knows the girlscouts got them crack laced thin mints.
Endomyn
Yeah door-to-door selling has gone away for a reason and I am distrusting of anyone that shows up to sell anything.
esbi72
Happened here in Baltimore about a year ago
caedescorvidus
Yeah they come knocking on my door at least once a year
storebrandproductmascot
In PA, I've been getting several of these guys a month at my door for... damn, at least 5 years now.
AGirlHasNoShame
Actually, happening in my neighborhood in Baltimore now! It’s insane
bigkingdingaling
Those guys were going to shoot you if you're in Bmore
xj4low
My power co is a coop, I can't change unless I move. Power bill is actually pretty good for 105*+ summer peaks.
bertmag
Happening in Laurel still. (Just outside of Baltimore, for those who do not know)
notanonymous
Hey Baltimorean!
Jynxy85
They are just shitty door to door salesmen trying to con their way into being a middleman for your bills.
BriefausdemGeist
It’s lewiston, I’ve worked that courthouse and I think I recognize that dude. Frequent flyer.
BriefausdemGeist
I remember those shoes.
Endomyn
Good to know. I don't know if I should blame them or the company they are supposedly representing for allowing it
BriefausdemGeist
They misrepresented themselves to you, they could very well have done the same to the officer - hopefully not Derek - and had a 3rd person
BriefausdemGeist
Pretending to be their supervisor on the phone in case someone escalated things
Endomyn
Yeah I'm not sure what the conversation with the officers was like. But the cops were pleasant and thanked me for alerting them to it
BojanglesTheFlyingCar
They do this all over the country.basically the scam is that ¹/
Dudeitsausername
I get people that do this a couple times a year they “claim” to be from consumers energy or some off brand business yet they carry ID.
LaforgeMRA
https://www.pge.com/en_US/small-medium-business/energy-alternatives/alternatives-to-pge/third-party-gas-options.page
capricaria
Can someone explain the benefit of using a middle man to pay for gas? It's just an extra step and I don't understand.
LaforgeMRA
None, as far as I can tell
AvocadoHouse
It’s not totally a scam... it’s kinda like asking to change long distance service providers back in the day.
TheVermonster
It's a huge scam because they often have an amazing introductory rate that changes after a few months. Plus they never compare the correct >
TheVermonster
Rates, or properly inform you that you still pay the delivery rare to the power company. If it wasn't a scam, they wouldn't need to lie
AvocadoHouse
Wouldn’t it be the same with cable companies and internet providers nowadays? Always with the hidden fees?
TheVermonster
It's more complicated. Imagine a 3rd party selling you a $50 cable plan for $40, then you find out you still owe $50 to the cable company
BojanglesTheFlyingCar
They're an actual vendor that will sign over your energy contract to them and mostly reasonably charges 2/
BojanglesTheFlyingCar
But with a clause that lets them change the rates astronomically as long as they get your bill and account # 3/
BojanglesTheFlyingCar
And it's very difficult to cancel and return to your old vendor ⁴/4
LaforgeMRA
These are known as Core Transport Agents
BojanglesTheFlyingCar
Danke
NOYLL
I feel like what they're doing should be illegal
maxximusprimus
CTA? You mean Cunt Truck Assholes?
Counterfit
It sounds like the bullshit that used to happen with long distance phone providers.