JUNO BEACH, Fla., May 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Summer soon will be here, bringing
not only searing temperatures but scam artists hoping to burn residents
concerned about higher air-conditioning and energy costs. Florida Power &
Light Company wants to help residents avoid these rip-offs, while truly saving
customers energy and money during the hot weather.
"Scam artists know residents use their air-conditioning much more during
this season, which will increase their electric bills," said David Bates,
FPL's air-conditioning program manager. "That can make customers more
vulnerable to unrealistic promises of savings."
The schemes vary. Sometimes a caller claims to be with a utility and
wishes to schedule an inspection of a home's air-conditioning system and other
components. The scam artist then visits the home and tries to sell the
customer a new, expensive AC unit or other so-called energy-saving items or
services. Other times, a salesperson may wildly overstate the possible
savings and cash incentives an electric company will provide to help pay for
energy upgrades.
"Unfortunately, these swindlers know FPL provides a number of legitimate
programs and incentives that really can help save customers money," Mr. Bates
said. "They use this to confuse their victims."
Below are tips from FPL to avoid these types of fraud:
* Ask to see identification if someone comes to your door or into your
yard and claims to represent FPL. All FPL employees carry a photo
identification badge. FPL energy management specialists and other
representatives may be in your neighborhood to administer duct tests, read
electric meters, repair power lines or other activities, but they do not ask
to come into your home without prior arrangements.
* FPL will not send employees to your home offering cash refunds on
deposits or electric charges. FPL either credits your account or mails a check
to you.
* Contact FPL if you are considering air-conditioning or other energy-
related work in your home. FPL offers customers a list of participating,
independent contractors. Contractors on FPL's list must maintain specified
standards of performance.
* Contact FPL for a current and accurate list of cash incentives and
efficiency programs.
* Contact FPL to confirm all information you may receive on energy savings
and incentives, especially if it seems too good to be true.
* Contact FPL, if you are in doubt about anything related to energy
efficiency in your home.
Visit FPL on the Internet at http://www.fpl.com. Or, customers may call
1-800-DIAL-FPL. With this call or visit, you'll be able to learn more about
FPL's programs to truly save energy and money.
Florida Power & Light is the principal subsidiary of FPL Group, Inc.
(NYSE: FPL) one of the nation's largest providers of electricity-related
services with annual revenues of more than $7 billion. The company serves
approximately 3.9 million customer accounts in Florida.
FPL Energy, Inc. is a leader in producing electricity from clean and
renewable fuels. Information is available on the Internet at http://www.fplgroup.com
and http://www.fpl.com.
SOURCE Florida Power & Light Company
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Related links:
http://www.fpl.com
http://www.fplgroup.com
CONTACT:
Florida Power & Light Company Corporate
Communications, Media Line, 305-552-3888
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