Door-to-door sales are flagged by the Consumer Centre due to potential issues with delayed contracts
In Lower Saxony, consumers are being urged to be vigilant against deceptive door-to-door sales and unwanted telemarketing calls from energy brokers, according to the Consumer Protection Center of Lower Saxony. These practices, which often have unpleasant consequences for those affected, involve common tactics such as misleading promotional claims, omitting or obscuring fees, and presenting distorted information about product performance or savings.
The calls may even be made in foreign languages, such as Arabic, to obtain personal information like the meter number. Energy brokers often use high-pressure sales techniques, disguise their identity and contract terms, and exploit consumers' lack of detailed knowledge regarding energy tariffs to create an illusion of better value or urgency to switch providers.
To protect themselves, consumers in Lower Saxony are advised to take the following precautions:
- Verify the identity and credentials of the energy broker. Ask for official company identification and check whether the broker is registered or authorized to sell energy contracts.
- Request written information. Always get a clear, written explanation of the proposed contract terms, fees, and conditions before agreeing.
- Compare offers independently. Use official comparison tools provided by consumer protection agencies or regulatory bodies to verify whether the offered tariffs are genuinely competitive.
- Be wary of high-pressure tactics. Legitimate companies will provide time for consumers to consider offers and consult other sources.
- Know your contract rights. In Germany, consumers usually have a 14-day cooling-off period during which they can withdraw from a contract signed remotely or at home.
If deceptive behavior is suspected, consumers should contact local consumer protection agencies (Verbraucherzentrale Niedersachsen) or regulatory authorities such as the Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur).
If a new energy contract arrives unexpectedly in the mailbox, consumers should act quickly and not accept it if they feel deceived. Consumers should verify the identity of any visiting salesperson or the legitimacy of the company they represent. External brokers, posing as local utility company employees or independent energy consultants, are known to pressure consumers into signing contracts.
If the cancellation of an unwanted contract is ignored, consumers should not pay the bills - already debited amounts may be recovered. Consumers have the right to cancel any contract within a certain period, usually 14 days, without penalty.
Providers sometimes use deceptive tactics over the phone, posing as regional energy suppliers or using names like "Energiezentrale Berlin." Brokers may claim they are only having a meter reading confirmed, or present a document for signing that has a contract form printed on a second sheet. Some contracts are imposed on consumers without their knowledge, according to the Consumer Protection Center.
Energy contracts must be confirmed in writing by both parties. Consumers are encouraged to report any incidents of pressure or deception to the Consumer Protection Center. By staying informed and cautious, consumers can protect themselves from these deceptive practices and make informed decisions about their energy contracts.
- Consumers in Lower Saxony should be cautious when dealing with energy brokers in the industry, especially those using high-pressure tactics, disguising contract terms, or exploiting consumers' lack of knowledge about energy tariffs.
- In the realm of finance, it is important for consumers to request written information about energy contracts and independently compare offers using official comparison tools before agreeing to a deal.
