Letters: Town Supervisor warns of scam; apologizes for error in billing, too

Dear Editor,

This letter is to ask residents to watch for door-to-door electricity sales scams. 

Several companies are trying to trick residents into signing up for electricity with them. THIS IS A SCAM. 

The Town of Owego and our partners are NOT going door-to-door selling electricity, nor calling people at home. These companies are unscrupulous, and are misrepresenting their relationship with the Town.

The Town partnered with MEGA (Municipal Electric and Gas Alliance) on Community Choice Aggregation (CCA), and through a competitive selection process is offering electric supply from Constellation. If you receive a phone call, a door-to-door sale or an additional letter in the mail, it is NOT the CCA Program selected by the Town.

The town and our partners worked together through the CCA Program to carefully select an option for you that is free from escalating prices, high termination fees and aggressive sales tactics. PLEASE ask to see their Town of Owego permit. If they do not have one, it is a scam. 

Please call the Town or MEGA at (518) 533-5399 if you have any questions. 

If you feel that an energy services company has scammed you or to report a company that tried to scam you contact the New York State Public Service Commission via their Competitive Energy Hotline for complaints about Energy Service Companies at 1-888-697-7728, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

IMPORTANT: Never give your electricity account number to door-to-door or telephone solicitor.

Also, The Town of Owego water and sewer bills sent out with a bill date of Aug. 1, 2019 and due date of Aug. 1, 2019 are due by Aug. 31, 2019. No late fee will be assessed until Sept. 1, 2019. If you have further questions you may contact the Utilities Department. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. 

Respectfully,

Donald Castellucci, Jr.

Town Supervisor