Door-to-Door Electricity Scams: Red Flags & Protection Guide

Someone shows up at your door in a polo shirt with a clipboard, claims they're from the electric company, and wants to "check your account." Sound familiar?

This happens constantly in Texas, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts. Sometimes it's a legitimate salesperson from a licensed electricity supplier. Sometimes it's a scammer looking to steal your account information or trick you into a terrible contract. The FTC gets thousands of these complaints every year.

Scammers love deregulated markets because they can pretend to represent utilities like AEP Ohio, PECO, or Eversource. They target elderly residents, people who don't speak English as a first language, and anyone who doesn't know how electricity choice works. The goals? Unauthorized account switching (called "slamming"), identity theft, or locking you into contracts with hidden fees.

Here's how to tell the difference and protect yourself.

I've heard these stories dozens of times, and the tactics are remarkably consistent.

The utility impersonation play: "Hi, I'm here from Duke Energy to verify your account." They wear something that looks like a uniform, flash a badge that's definitely not official, and ask to see your bill "to make sure you're not being overcharged." This is the setup. Your account number is all they need to switch your service without permission.

The government rebate scam: "The federal government is offering a new energy credit. I just need your information to process it." There is no such program. This is pure identity theft bait.

The bait-and-switch: They promise you 4 cents per kWh verbally, but the contract you sign says 9 cents. By the time you notice, you've missed the cancellation window.

The fear tactics: "Your current supplier is going bankrupt" or "your rates are doubling next month" or "this offer expires in 10 minutes." Legitimate companies don't operate like this. Ever.

You can usually figure this out before they finish their first sentence.

Red flag number one: they want to see your utility bill. A legitimate salesperson might ask about your general usage to estimate savings, but they don't need to physically look at your bill. Scammers want your account number. That's the magic key to switching your service without your real consent.

Red flag two: pressure to sign right now. "This rate is only available today" is almost always a lie. Real offers last at least a few days. Anyone who won't let you think about it is hiding something.

Red flag three: they claim the utility sent them or that they have an "exclusive partnership" with your utility. Utilities don't do this. PUCO, the PA PUC, and regulators explicitly prohibit these claims.

Red flag four: vague answers about who they work for, no business card, won't give you anything in writing. Legitimate salespeople have printed materials. Scammers don't want evidence.

Red flag five: threats. "If you don't sign, your rates will go up" or "you could lose your service." This is not how any of this works.

Not everyone who knocks on your door is a scammer. Licensed suppliers do use door-to-door sales. Here's how the real ones behave.

They carry actual identification. In Ohio, that's a PUCO-issued license they can show you. Pennsylvania requires similar credentials from the PA PUC. Massachusetts has DPU licensing. If they can't produce this on request, that's your answer.

They hand you materials before asking for anything. Rate sheets, contract summaries, their company's contact information. They explain that switching is optional and you can take time to decide. No pressure, no urgency, no ultimatums.

They never ask for your Social Security number, your bank information, or an immediate signature. None of this is required at the door. If someone asks for it, close the door.

Want to verify? Check the supplier name at PUCO (Ohio), PA PUC (Pennsylvania), or Massachusetts DPU. If they're not on the list, they're not legitimate.

Most people don't realize: you're protected by law even if you do get tricked into signing something.

The FTC's Cooling-Off Rule gives you 3 business days to cancel any purchase over $25 made at your door. Ohio goes further: you have 7 full days to rescind any energy contract. Pennsylvania gives you 3 business days. Massachusetts has similar protections through the DPU.

Beyond cancellation rights, you can absolutely refuse to show your bill, refuse to give any personal information, refuse to sign anything, and demand to see their solicitation permit (many cities require these). You don't owe door-to-door salespeople anything. Not your time, not your information, not an explanation for why you're saying no.

And here's an important one: no solicitor can legally threaten to disconnect your service or impose penalties for refusing to engage. That's not how electricity regulation works. If someone threatens you, they're either lying or breaking the law. Probably both.

A "No Soliciting" sign on your door gives you additional legal standing to report repeat offenders.

Your utility account number is the only thing scammers need to switch your service without permission. Everything else is just a tool to get you to reveal it.

Never show your utility bill to anyone who comes to your door. I don't care how official they look or what story they tell. Legitimate utility employees already have your account information. They don't need you to show them anything. Ever.

If someone claims there's a problem with your account, don't discuss it on the doorstep. Tell them you'll call the utility directly and close the door. Then call the number printed on your actual bill. Not a number they give you.

Don't discuss what rate you're paying or how much your bills typically are. Scammers use this information to craft convincing pitches. "Oh, you're paying 12 cents? I can get you 6 cents!" is a lot more persuasive when they know your starting point.

If you already gave information to someone you now suspect was a scammer, call your utility immediately. Ask them to put a lock on your account that prevents any changes without additional verification. This stops unauthorized switching cold.

Keep the screen door locked. That's step one. You can talk through it just fine.

Ask for their name, company, and contact information. Watch their reaction. Legitimate salespeople have answers ready. Scammers get evasive or irritated.

Don't give them anything: not your name, not your account number, not what you're currently paying. If they ask to see your bill, say no. If they push, tell them you'll look up the company yourself and contact them directly if interested. Then ask them to leave.

Note everything you can: the time, what they looked like, what they were wearing, what company they claimed to represent, what vehicle they arrived in. If they've got a car parked at the curb, the license plate is gold for investigators.

If the person becomes aggressive or refuses to leave, call your local police non-emergency line. Don't sign anything under pressure. Ever.

After they're gone, report the visit. Ohio: call PUCO at 800-686-7826. Pennsylvania: PA PUC at 800-692-7380. Massachusetts: MA DPU at 877-886-5066.

I know, filing a report feels like yelling into the void. But it makes a difference.

State utility commissions investigate these complaints and can revoke supplier licenses. They also build cases against repeat offenders. The more reports they get about a particular company or tactic, the faster they act. Your report might be the one that tips the balance.

For Ohio, contact PUCO at 800-686-7826 or file online at puco.ohio.gov. Pennsylvania has the PA PUC at 800-692-7380. Massachusetts uses the DPU at 877-886-5066.

Beyond state agencies, you can file with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov, your state attorney general's consumer protection division, and the Better Business Bureau. More reports, more pressure, more accountability.

If you think identity theft occurred, don't wait. File a police report, place fraud alerts with all three credit bureaus, and call your utility to verify no unauthorized changes happened. Check your next bill carefully. Then the one after that.

When you report, include everything: date, time, what the person claimed, what they looked like, what company they mentioned. Details help investigators connect dots.