Attorneys general in at least 15 states have investigated or filed lawsuits against solar installers and lenders. In May, the Nevada State Contractors Board created a solar energy research unit. But the scams continue. The sales conversation often begins with a solar salesperson knocking on the front door, making a phone call, or networking via social media. Some scammers may claim to be consultants to your electric company, utility companies warn.
"Solar energy has a lot of positive potential. "It's really a shame that a bunch of bad actors are giving this whole thing a black eye," said Andrew Milz, a consumer protection attorney in the Philadelphia area. "People think they should do something good for the environment and save on their electricity bills, but that's not always the case."
How to avoid clean energy scams
Do your homework before investing. "Don't trust the hype," Mascio says. Start investigating whether a green energy investment is a scam or opportunity by checking to see if the seller is a licensed broker on FINRA's BrokerCheck at Brokercheck.finra.org , Mascio suggests. Avoid projects that seem too good to be true. And "stay away from unsolicited investment offers, whether they come to you by mail, on social media, in chat rooms, via text or phone call," he says.
Take the time to research costs and benefits by getting quotes from several contractors in your area, recommends Amy Nofziger, director of victim assistance at the AARP Fraud Watch Network . First, ensure that installers are licensed, certified and/or registered with organizations such as the North American Council of Certified Energy Professionals . Search for complaints and issues by visiting the Better Business Bureau's National Business Directory at bbb.org/search .
Your state's Department of Energy or Consumer Financial Protection Bureau may have a list of qualified solar installers or information that will tell you whether a contractor is registered and/or licensed. For more information about state solar licensing requirements for contractors, visit the Interstate Renewable Energy Council's National Solar License Database .
Never give out personal information to someone who contacts you out of the blue. Some clean energy experiments are a ruse to obtain your personal information. In June, Huntsville Utilities in Alabama warned residents about callers posing as utility representatives offering cheap solar panels and then collecting personal financial information and information about homeowners. Utility employees will never contact you to ask for your Social Security number, credit card number, or bank account information, but scammers will.
Aucun commentaire:
Enregistrer un commentaire