{"version":"1.0","provider_name":"Citizens Utility Board","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org","title":"CUB speaks out: Beware of bad deals from energy suppliers | Citizens Utility Board","type":"rich","width":600,"height":338,"html":"<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"huebHcAFx6\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/blog\/2024\/01\/16\/cub-speaks-out-beware-of-bad-deals-from-energy-suppliers\/\">CUB speaks out: Beware of bad deals from energy suppliers<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" src=\"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/blog\/2024\/01\/16\/cub-speaks-out-beware-of-bad-deals-from-energy-suppliers\/embed\/#?secret=huebHcAFx6\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" title=\"&#8220;CUB speaks out: Beware of bad deals from energy suppliers&#8221; &#8212; Citizens Utility Board\" data-secret=\"huebHcAFx6\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\"><\/iframe><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n\/* <![CDATA[ *\/\n\/*! This file is auto-generated *\/\n!function(d,l){\"use strict\";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&\"undefined\"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!\/[^a-zA-Z0-9]\/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),c=new RegExp(\"^https?:$\",\"i\"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display=\"none\";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute(\"style\"),\"height\"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):\"link\"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute(\"src\")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener(\"message\",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll(\"iframe.wp-embedded-content\"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute(\"data-secret\"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+=\"#?secret=\"+t,e.setAttribute(\"data-secret\",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:\"ready\",secret:t},\"*\")},!1)))}(window,document);\n\/* ]]> *\/\n<\/script>\n","description":"Many consumers wonder if they should switch to an alternative supplier to cut down on their electric or gas bills. But beware, these enticing offers are many times not as good as they seem. In fact, Illinois consumers have lost $2 billion to alternative electric suppliers since 2015. CUB Executive Director Sarah Moskowitz has appeared on WGN radio and in the Chicago Sun-Times to warn customers about rip-offs peddled by alternative suppliers. Read CUB&#8217;s simple tips: The utility is likely your best bet. Visit CUB&#8217;s gas and electric pages to see what the utilities are charging, so you can compare the utility supply price to any price that an alternative supplier offers. If you shop, be wary of: A low introductory rate that will skyrocket after a short period. (Ask how long a rate lasts, and what the new rate will be.) Add-on monthly fees that raise the cost of the plan. (Scan the fine print.) Force majeure. Companies charging a fixed rate, which would presumably protect a customer from a spike in prices, could claim \u201cforce majeure.\u201d That\u2019s a legal term to describe a company claiming it can no longer honor a contract because of unforeseeable circumstances beyond its control. Read the fine print. Remember, going with an alternative supplier will NOT\u00a0protect you from utility rate hikes. Those hikes impact delivery rates, what we pay the utilities to deliver gas and electricity to our homes. Everyone pays those rates, even if they\u2019re with an alternative supplier. Be wary about showing your bill to just anybody.\u00a0If somebody comes to your door and says they want to look at your electricity or gas bills, don\u2019t hand it over OR give out your account number, unless you are absolutely sure you want to sign up. A sales rep who sees your bill can get your account number and sign you up for a deal without your permission\u2013a scam called \u201cslamming.\u201d Any decision you make about your utility bills is important, and you don\u2019t have to make it on your doorstep. Don\u2019t give out any sensitive info, even if the person at the door claims to be from the utility company. Instead, ask where you can get more\u00a0 information about the offer and end the conversation. If you want to sign up, watch your bill carefully.\u00a0Be prepared to get out of the offer if you notice it stops saving you money\u2013 you should be able to get out with no penalty. With electricity supply, check if your community has negotiated a \u201cmunicipal aggregation\u201d deal.\u00a0Municipal aggregation\u00a0is when community leaders negotiate with an alternative supplier to secure a reasonable electricity price. Savings aren\u2019t guaranteed, but your community may have secured a lower supply rate than your utility. Just make sure to find out when the offer expires. Read our fact sheets on energy choice for\u00a0Nicor\u00a0Gas\u00a0customers,\u00a0North Shore\/Peoples\u00a0Gas\u00a0customers,\u00a0ComEd\u00a0customers and\u00a0Ameren\u00a0customers. Remember,\u00a0 there are other ways to reduce your bills that are more reliable than switching to an alternative supplier. For example, practice\u00a0energy efficiency. The utilities offer no- and low-cost programs to help cut costs.\u00a0","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/electricity-scaled.jpg","thumbnail_width":2560,"thumbnail_height":1707}