Door-to-door energy sellers: your rights and red flags

The doorbell rings. A friendly person with a clipboard says they can lower your electric bill. They just need to see your bill for a minute.

Many of these sellers work for real companies. But the rules are there for a reason, and you have more rights than you might think. Here is what they can and can't do, and what you can say.

Is the person at my door from my utility?

Almost never. Your utility is the company that owns the wires or gas pipes, like AEP Ohio, PECO, ComEd or Columbia Gas. Utilities don't send people door to door to sell you a new price.

The person at your door almost always works for a supplier. A supplier is a company that sells the electricity or gas itself, at its own price. Your utility would still deliver it.

The rules in all three states say the seller must make this clear:

• Ohio: a seller may not lead you to believe they work for your utility. (Ohio rule 4901:1-21-05 (opens a new tab)) The Ohio Consumers' Counsel says they must say they represent a supplier, "not the utility, municipality, or a government agency." (OCC: Know Your Rights (opens a new tab))
• Pennsylvania: when they greet you, the seller must say they are "not working for and [are] independent of" your utility. (52 Pa. Code § 111.9 (opens a new tab))
• Illinois: an electric seller's papers must say the supplier "is not the same entity as your electric delivery company." (815 ILCS 505/2EE (opens a new tab))

Red flag: "I'm from the power company." Or "Your utility sent me." If you hear that, you can end the talk right there.

What should their badge show?

Every seller must wear a badge with a photo. Look at it closely.

• Ohio: a photo ID from the supplier, worn where you can see it.
• Pennsylvania: the supplier's name and logo, the seller's photo and full name, and a customer service phone number for the supplier. (52 Pa. Code § 111.8 (opens a new tab))
• Illinois electric: worn on an outer piece of clothing, with the seller's full name, an ID number, a photo, and the supplier's name and logo.
• Illinois gas: the seller must tell you their name, the company's name and phone number, and how to reach the Illinois Commerce Commission. (ICC gas choice page (opens a new tab))

Ohio also requires suppliers to run criminal background checks on their door-to-door sellers.

What hours can they knock?

• Ohio: only between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m., for both electric and gas sellers, unless a local law is stricter.
• Pennsylvania: between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. from October through March, and 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. from April through September. A local law can be stricter.

So unless your town's own rules allow later visits, someone knocking at 8:30 at night in Ohio is breaking the rules.

Do I have to let them in or listen?

No. The Ohio Consumers' Counsel says it plainly: "You are not required to open your door or make immediate decisions."

And when you ask them to go, they must go:

• Ohio: sellers must leave right away when asked.
• Pennsylvania: they must "immediately leave a residence when requested."
• Illinois: the seller "shall leave the premises" when you ask.

You don't have to give a reason. "No thank you, please leave" is enough.

Should I show them my bill or account number?

Not unless you have already decided to sign up.

Your account number is on your bill. It is the key a supplier needs to switch you. If a stranger has it, they have what they need to move your account. Switching someone without their OK is called slamming, and it is against the rules. But it's easier to prevent than to fix.

So:

• Don't hand over your bill "just so they can take a look."
• Don't read your account number out loud.
• Don't sign a tablet or paper to "prove they visited."

If you want to think about an offer, ask for it in writing and say you will call the company yourself.

What to say: "Please leave me a written copy of your offer. I'll look it over and call you if I'm interested."

What if I say yes at the door?

There are more protections after you agree:

• Ohio: the Ohio Consumers' Counsel says sign-ups at the door or by phone must be checked by an outside party. This is called third-party verification. For a door sale, the seller must leave your property before the check starts and may not come back. (OCC: Know Your Rights (opens a new tab))
• Pennsylvania: the check can't start until the seller has left your home, unless you agree they can stay nearby. (52 Pa. Code § 111.7 (opens a new tab)) The seller must also leave you a copy of anything you signed before they go.

During that check, you will be asked if you agree. If you feel unsure, say no.

What about phone calls?

In Ohio, electric and gas suppliers may not make sales calls to your home before 9 a.m. or after 9 p.m., and they must follow the national Do Not Call list.

In Pennsylvania, the Public Utility Commission has warned about scam calls that fake the PUC's own phone number. The callers say a supplier switch is pending and demand a fee to stop a shutoff. The PUC says it does "not make direct calls to consumers to demand payment, confirm supplier switches, or threaten termination." (PA PUC warning (opens a new tab))

If a call feels wrong, hang up. Then call your utility at the number printed on your bill.

How do I get fewer sales visits and calls?

• Ohio: the Ohio Consumers' Counsel says to call your utility and ask it to stop sharing your contact information with suppliers. (OCC: How to Make Wise Energy Choices (opens a new tab))
• Ameren Illinois (electric): call Ameren Illinois at 800-755-5000 to be put on its Do Not Market list. (Plug In Illinois (opens a new tab))
• Illinois gas: call your gas company to be put on its do-not-contact list. Nicor Gas: 1-888-642-6748. North Shore Gas: 1-866-556-6004. Peoples Gas: 1-866-556-6001.

I already signed. Can I cancel?

Yes, if you act fast. Each state gives you a short, free cancel window:

• Ohio electric: 7 days from the postmark on your utility's letter. Call your utility.
• Ohio gas: 7 business days from the postmark on your gas company's letter. Call or write to your gas company.
• Pennsylvania: 3 business days after you get the supplier's written terms (the disclosure statement). You can cancel in writing, by phone or online.
• Illinois electric: 10 days after your utility processes the switch. Your utility mails you a letter about it.
• Illinois gas: 10 business days after the date on your gas company's letter. Call the gas company or the supplier.

Missed the window? You can still leave. See early termination fees and how to leave a supplier. In Illinois, homes can leave an electric or gas supplier any time with no fee.

Who do I report a bad seller to?

• Ohio: the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) at 1-800-686-7826, or the Ohio Consumers' Counsel at 1-877-742-5622.
• Pennsylvania: the PA PUC at 1-800-692-7380, or the Office of Consumer Advocate at 1-800-684-6560.
• Illinois: the Illinois Commerce Commission at 1-800-524-0795, or the Citizens Utility Board at 1-800-669-5556.

Write down the seller's name, the company, the badge number and the time. It helps.

Judy Saves will never knock on your door or call you to sell you anything.

What to do next

1. If someone signed you up and you're not sure, check your bill for a new supplier name. See how to tell if you have an electric supplier.
2. Before you take any offer, run the free bill check. I compare what you pay with your utility's standard price and the offers listed for your area.
3. Worried about switching at all? Read Is it safe to switch my electric supplier?
4. The Help page has more on scams and who to call.