Protect Your Electricity Account
Has anyone ever tried to sell you electricity? If so, you’re not alone. Many residents receive door-to-door solicitations, telemarketing calls, or mail from marketers trying to sign them up for electricity contracts. We’re raising awareness about the potential risks of these contracts. We want to provide you with the information you need to protect your electricity account.
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Share your storyHas a marketer ever tried to sell you or someone you know electricity? Maybe you’re in an electricity contract right now:
The problem with electricity supply contracts
It’s common for marketers to approach Boston residents and businesses to sell them electricity. These marketers work for competitive electricity suppliers. In some cases, marketers may use dishonest and/or aggressive sales tactics to make electricity customers sign supply contracts. They may fail to communicate the contract’s full terms and conditions. This can be costly for customers. Many account holders pay more for their electricity when they sign third-party contracts. Between 2015-2024, competitive electricity supply contracts cost Massachusetts customers an extra $651.3 million. This is why the Massachusetts Attorney General opposes the direct sale of competitive electric supply to residents.
We urge you to be cautious if, and when, you consider signing an electricity supply contract with a competitive electricity supplier. Avoiding these contracts may be in your best interest.
HOW TO ENGAGE WITH COMPETITIVE ELETRICITY SUPPLY MARKETERS
HOW TO ENGAGE WITH MARKETERSDecline requests to discuss your electricity supply options from anyone who claims to work for, or with, Eversource or the City of Boston. The City will never reach out to discuss your electricity supply options. This is called an "imposter" scam.
Call Eversource directly (1-800-592-2000) to verify any service requests, or to confirm that they sent a representative to your door. Don't dial the phone number a stranger provides.
Ask door-to-door marketers for their identification. This includes their:
- name and photo
- worker ID number
- company name, and
- company logo
Only provide your account information after you agree to sign a contract, and not before. While it’s against the law, if someone obtains your electricity account information, which can be done by simply viewing your Eversource statement, they may try to change your electric supplier without your authorization. This is called “slamming”.
Do not show a marketer your statement unless you intend to sign a contract with their company.
Remember that you have up to three business days to cancel any signed contract free of penalty.
DETERMINE YOUR ELECTRICITY SUPPLIER
One of the first steps in protecting your electricity account is knowing who your electricity supplier is. In Massachusetts, we have combined billing, which means you only receive an electricity bill from your utility. However, that does not necessarily mean that your utility is your supplier. That's why you'll want to follow the steps below to determine your supplier.
Find one of your most recent Eversource electricity bills. Regardless of who your electricity supplier is, Eversource handles all of the billing for Boston customers. Your electricity supplier is listed on your Eversource bill under the section, “Your electric supplier is.” You will see one of three options listed:
- Direct Energy and "Billing for City of Boston CCE" if you are a customer of the Boston Community Choice Electricity Program
- Eversource Basic Service
- The name of a competitive electricity supplier
The image below highlights where to look on your bill.
Understanding electricity supply contracts
Understanding contractsIf, and when, you sign up with a competitive electricity supplier, you are signing a contract. Ask about the length of the contract. Contracts can typically last between six months and three years.
- Ask whether the contract has a fixed or variable electric rate. Variable rates can change month to month, while fixed rates remain the same for the duration of the contract.
- Competitive electricity suppliers may initially offer you an attractive promotional rate. However, these rates can increase substantially after the introductory period. Ask how long the promotional rate will last and what the new rate will be.
- With some contracts, electricity rates can change with market conditions or at the supplier’s discretion.
As with most contracts, there will often be early cancellation or termination fees. Cancellation fees can often be costly. Be sure you know if there are fees before signing any contract.
Contracts will automatically renew. Ask if and when this would happen. You can always call your current supplier and ask when your current contract expires.
Once your contract ends, the electric supplier company will retain you as a customer until you take steps to leave the company. This can occur even when your contract ends.
Renewable electricity can come in different forms and from different places. Ask about the renewable electricity provided through the contract.
Always be sure to receive a contract in your native language and read the fine print. The electricity supplier contact information can always be found on your bill.
Switching your electricity supplier
After determining your electricity supplier, you may wish to switch to a new supplier, such as the Boston Community Choice Electricity Program. If you are an Eversource Basic Service customer, and you want to join the City's program, you can simply sign up using our online form.
Supplier Block
If you have a supply block on our account, you will not be enrolled into BCCE. But you can still join BCCE by removing the block!
Instructions on how to remove Eversource supply block:
1. Call Eversource (1-800-592-2000)
2. Ask to remove the supplier block on your account
3. Wait 48 hours
4. Enroll by filling out our online form.
competitive electric supplier
If you have signed a contract with a competitive electricity supplier, and you want to join the City’s Program, we encourage you to consider the steps outlined below.
1. Call your current electricity supplier.
2. Ask your electricity supplier about fees and penalties.
3. Contracts sometimes contain early termination fees. Ask your supplier if you would be subject to any fees.
3a. If there are no early termination fees, you can instruct the supplier to drop you from their service. You'll be switched to your new supplier at your next meter read.
3b. If there are early termination fees, ask them to waive any fees. They may or may not agree to it.
3c. If they say yes. You should get a confirmation number. Keep this for your records.
4. Enroll into BCCE using this form.
If you think you have been wronged by a competitive electricity supplier, please contact the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office at 617-727-8400 or file an online complaint about:
- deceptive or misleading sales practices
- misleading terms of your contract
- harassment by marketers
- violations of the “do not call” rules, and
- the need for further help.
Or contact the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities at 617-737-2836 or file an online complaint about:
- unauthorized changes to your electricity account
- mysterious cancellation or termination fees, and
- billing problems with an electricity supplier.
Who's Involved:
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Share your story
Has a marketer ever tried to sell you or someone you know electricity? Maybe you’re in an electricity contract right now:
