FSS Newsletter :: September/October 2003

Tips to Safeguard Your Personal Information

With the development of competitive choices in the natural gas and
telephone industries, Ohio utility consumers are seeing the use of
door-to-door, telemarketing and Internet dales tactics as a means to get
their business. These types of marketing practices make it vital that
residential consumers understand how they can safeguard their personal
information.

Consumers should be aware that although laws exist to protect them from
being taken advantage of by competitive energy and telephone providers,
there are important steps they should take to help prevent their personal
information from being misused. The Ohio Consumers Council (OCC) offers these simple security tips:

When a telemarketer calls?

Make sure the representatives states the name of the company and the reason
for the call. If he or she does not, make sure to ask. It is also important
to identify the caller's name before starting any conversation. You may
want to write down the date, time and what was discussed for your records.

Do not give out financial information such as a bank or credit card account
number. Competitive providers do not need this information to provide service.
Never agree to any conditions that you do not understand. Feel free to tell
the caller that you are "terminating the call" if you feel pressured to buy
a product or service.

When a salesperson comes to the door?

The representative should clearly display photo identification of the
electric, natural gas or telephone company he or she represents. If not ask
to see identification. Call the company if you want verification of the
representative's identity.

Before deciding to accept an offer, a consumer should ask for and carefully
review a written copy of the terms and conditions of the agreement.
Never provide copies of utility bills or account information until after a
decision to switch to that company has been made.

Consumers who would like more tips for protecting themselves should contact
the OCC toll free at 1-877-742-5622 or visit the Consumer Publications page
at www.pickocc.org to review the "Handling Unwelcome Callers" fact sheet.