Known Scams Using Energy Trust's Name
Are you wondering about the authenticity of a phone call, email, mailing, sales person at your door or other contact you've received claiming to represent Energy Trust of Oregon or an Energy Trust program?
We do conduct outreach and advertising throughout Oregon and into southwest Washington to increase awareness of our energy-efficiency and renewable energy offerings for utility customers. We also occasionally work with vendors to conduct energy awareness telephone surveys on our behalf.
Unfortunately, it has come to our attention that some individuals and companies may be using the Energy Trust name inappropriately and without our permission, potentially for fraudulent purposes. If you have a question about the authenticity of a communication or anyone representing Energy Trust, please contact us at 1.866.368.7878 or at info@energytrust.org.
Below are known potential scams using the Energy Trust name:
Potential Scam:
Contractor going door-to-door saying they are affiliated with Energy Trust, or a local utility, and can guarantee an Energy Trust incentive.
Our Response:
For Energy Trust to pay an incentive on a project your contractor must complete the work to Energy Trust specifications; an incentive is never guaranteed. Not all contractors have the same level of experience with Energy Trust specifications for energy savings. Energy Trust trade ally contractors are members of our Trade Ally Network, affiliated with our organization and up-to-date on the latest Energy Trust energy-efficiency standards, quality control requirements and incentives. We strongly encourage you to select a trade ally contractor from our website to receive well-informed, energy-efficiency services.
Potential Scam:
Representative going door-to-door, offering a free energy audit. They may be asking for utility account numbers and social security numbers.
Our Response:
Energy Trust does offer a free Home Energy Review to help identify ways to save energy in your home. However, we do not conduct door-to-door solicitation or ask for your social security number. We may ask to view your utility bills to get an idea of how you use energy. All Home Energy Review representatives have a photo name badge, which they can present when they visit your home.
Potential Scam:
Unsolicited phone call from someone claiming to work for Energy Trust, offering a free Home Energy Review or audit. This person may also ask for personal or financial information, such as phone bill information.
Our Response:
We do offer a free Home Energy Review and also conduct occasional telephone energy awareness surveys that ask for personal household information. If you are called by our survey vendor, the caller will identify themselves as being employed by a survey company (i.e. Abt SRBI or Research Into Action) and will not claim to be employees of Energy Trust.
If someone contacts you claiming to represent Energy Trust and you believe the call may be fraudulent, please let us know by calling 1.866.368.7878 or emailing us at info@energytrust.org.