Ofgem to investigate door step utility agents

Ofgem, the utility regulator, has today announced an investigation into the sales tactics of doorstep agents representing the likes of Scottish Power, Scottish and Southern Energy, EDF Energy and npower. This investigation has been announced after an increase in complaints against doorstep agents representing an array of utility companies in the UK. Amid allegations that some customers have been "misled" with regards to the transferring of their utility services, Ofgem has decided to step into the breach.

This is not the first time that doorstep salespeople representing utility companies have been investigated with many people complaining of hardline sales tactics, misleading information and there have even been allegations of transfer requests going through which were not "knowingly" authorised by the customer.

If any of the UK utility companies are implicated in this investigation and any of the allegations are proved then they stand to be hit with a fine of anything up to 10% of their annual turnover. As these are some of the largest companies in the UK the potential fines could be enormous and the results of this investigation will be monitored by a number of consumer groups as well as the companies in question.