A Cobleskill resident and local police are cautioning residents about recent calls by door-to-door salesmen.
They’re warning that such callers could be operating scams, and residents should be wary of giving out information.
Howard Anderson, former business manager at Cobleskill-Richmondville Central School, had a representative from a company called Just Energy stop at his Grandview Drive home on Friday.
“The guy wanted to see my utility bills,” Mr. Anderson said. “I didn’t show him the bills, and he got really pushy. I got pretty rude.”
Checking Just Energy online, Mr. Anderson said he found the company, formerly US Energy Savings Corp., was being investigated by the Illinois Attorney General’s Office.
Two years ago, New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo reached an agreement with the company after US Energy “deceived Western New York customers into entering service contracts,” according to a release from the AG’s office.
And last November, the office reached a second agreement with US Energy “after consumers complained about the company using deceiving tactics.”
According to AG’s office, US Energy would change its name and uniform color scheme so consumers wouldn’t think representatives were affiliated with a local utility.
A spokesman with the Attorney General’s Office said investigators continue to monitor Just Energy and review complaints.
Just Energy wants to see utility bills to offer to reduce costs, Mr. Anderson said.
As C-R’s business manager, Mr. Anderson often saw questionable door-to-door salesmen.
“It rankles me,” he said. “It’s not something we need in Schoharie County or anywhere else.”
Neither Cobleskill acting police chief Larry Travis nor Schoharie County Sheriff Tony Desmond had received calls about a Just Energy salesman.
Both men, however, said there had been recent complaints about a salesman offering a cleaning solution. They also cautioned about dealing with any door-to-door salesman.
“The best advice is to not even listen to them,” Sheriff Desmond said. “Don’t let them in, don’t give any information.”
“Anybody soliciting in the village needs a proper permit,” Chief Travis said. “Don’t turn over any personal information until you’re sure of the company.”
Sheriff Desmond and Chief Travis urged anyone concerned to call their offices. The Sheriff’s Office is 295-2266; for Cobleskill Police, call 234-2923.
For similar complaints, the Attorney General’s Office has a help line, 1-800-771-7755.
Calls to Just Energy resulted in recorded messages and long waits.