With the gradual end of the
“tariff shield”
, energy bills risk soaring in 2024. The regulated electricity tariff has already increased from 8.6 to 9.8% at the start of the month, due to the increase in the internal tax (TICPE).
On July 1, gas will in turn rise, from 5.5 to 10.4%, due to the increase in distribution network prices.
In this regard, many French people could be tempted to save money by changing their offer or even their supplier.
Telephone touts have understood this well: whether they are truly affiliated with an electricity supplier or simple usurpers, all hope to take advantage of the naivety of consumers to achieve their ends.
Le
Figaro
takes stock of the risks of scams and the precautions to take.
Strong return of abusive practices
Since 2007, the electricity and gas markets have been open to competition for all customers.
Alongside historical suppliers (EDF and local distribution companies), the market is now made up of around thirty
“alternative”
suppliers .
Consumers are in principle free to
“play the competition”
and choose the supplier whose contract offered is the most advantageous.
As for electricity, a majority of residential customers still favor the offer at regulated prices from historic suppliers (70% in 2023).
These
“historics”
(EDF and Engie) also dominate the residential gas market (57%).
To gain market share, alternative suppliers use telephone canvassers.
The aim is to convince customers to terminate their current contract to subscribe to a new offer with an EDF competitor.
These rhetoricians sometimes promise three-figure savings, provided that the new contract is signed immediately.
The gradual end of the
“price shield”
and regulated gas prices have created fertile ground for direct sellers.
As the DGCCRF points out,
“certain malicious people use cold calling to get a consumer to sign an energy contract that a consumer does not need”
.
Part of the canvassing is also the work of real usurpers, who, posing as fake EDF salespeople, encourage consumers to cancel their regulated offer to subscribe to another supplier.
Also read Electricity: which contract to choose to save money?
“Never communicate your meter number”
Since the start of the war in Ukraine and the increase in electricity and gas prices, these practices have soared.
Telephone calls now represent 75% of canvassing for energy supplies.
The phenomenon is such that the Energy Mediator, a specialist in disputes between suppliers and consumers, sounded the alarm on Tuesday.
“After a period of calm, telephone canvassing seems to be resuming
,” he warned.
The opportunity, for the authority, to recall a key rule:
“never subscribe during a canvassing telephone call”
.
In fact, the part is sometimes delicate.
Experienced in the exercise, direct sellers often manage to obtain the information necessary to terminate the subscriber's contract directly.
EDF therefore recommends
“never communicating your meter number”
by telephone.
“By recovering the meter number, scammers can terminate your contract for the benefit of another company
,” explains the DGCCRF.
The same caution is obviously required with regard to
“bank details, identity papers, energy bills or customer area connection identifiers”
.
Beware of “shock” offers
The prices put forward by
“energy advisors”
are often too attractive to be honest.
It is better to ask in writing for all the detailed information on the proposed contract (price of KWh and subscription) before responding to direct sellers.
And this, while keeping in mind that the price gap between a regulated offer and a market offer is often less than expected.
The saving on the bill is, on average, less than 10%.
In Paris for example,
“the price of the cheapest market offer with variable price proposed in June 2023 was 7% below the level of the regulated sales tariff including tax, for an average customer at the base tariff 6 kVA consuming 2, 4 MWh/year”
, assesses the Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE).
To be certain that the offer proposed by the direct seller is really more interesting than his current offer, the safest way is to compare his contract with other offers on the market.
The most reliable tool undoubtedly remains the comparator put online by the Energy Mediator.
You should also be wary of the low monthly payments put forward by direct sellers.
By omitting certain additional costs, they sometimes reduce the amount of the final invoice.
In any case, the recommendation of the DGCCRF is clear:
“Do not make an immediate decision, even if everything seems clear to you and the professional seems insistent”
.
Fraud Repression reminds, in passing, that any consumer can object to telephone canvassing by registering on the Bloctel website.