Earlier this year, a retail electricity supplier agreed to pay $4 million to settle allegations by the Massachusetts Attorney General of deceptive marketing and sales that promised savings but charged customers significantly higher rates, entered consumers into agreements without their consent, and charged costly termination fees.

If you are solicited by a retail electricity supplier, follow these tips to make sure you are not being deceived:

• Stay informed about reports of scams or deceptive marketing from solicitors in your neighborhood or over the phone.
• Instead of giving personal or financial information to solicitors, ask them to send you something in writing.
• Sign up for the national do not call registry to avoid phone solicitations. You can register your number a www.donotcall.govor by calling 1-888-382-1222 or 1-866-290-4236 for TTY. You must call from the phone number you wish to register.
• Be wary of unsolicited offers and do your research before making a purchase or signing up for a service. Also, carefully read all contracts and purchasing agreements before signing and make certain that all of your requirements have been put in writing. Understand all contract cancellation and refund terms. As a general rule governing all of your interactions as a consumer, do not allow yourself to be pressured into making purchases, signing contracts, or committing funds. These decisions are yours and yours alone.

The Attorney General’s Office offers the following tips for consumers who may be affected by allegedly deceptive marketing practices by energy supply companies:

• Check your energy bills to make sure that you have not been switched to another supplier without your consent.
• Don’t share personal information or your electricity bill to sales representatives from competitive suppliers unless you are willing to enter into an agreement to purchase their electricity supply.
• Be wary of sales tactics and make sure you’re clear about who you are speaking to and which company they represent.
• Don’t let door-to-door sales persons into your home unless you know them personally. Please contact the Somerville Police Department if the sales agent refuses to leave or if you believe that the sales agent poses a threat to your safety.

Any consumer or retailer with concerns about these deceptive marketing practices should call the Massachusetts Consumer Hotline at (617) 727-8400. Consumers with questions can also contact the Consumer Division of the Department of Public Utilities at (877) 886-5066.

— City of Somerville