By ANGELA MONTEFINISE
Big Apple homeowners are getting zapped by a shocking door-to-door scam.
In an attempt to grab Con Ed customers, energy service companies are ringing bells in Brooklyn and Queens offering drastically cheaper rates for delivering electricity.
The only problem is the salespeople often lie, forge and misrepresent themselves to do it, according to victims. “It’s very disturbing,” said City Councilman Bill de Blasio (D-Brooklyn), whose office is fielding persistent complaints and has created a hot line for victims.
The scam is simple: Salesmen knock on the door and ask for the homeowner’s Con Ed bill. Sometimes the salesmen identify themselves properly, but often they imply or say they’re from Con Ed.
After looking at the bill and pointing out high charges, they quote a false rate to entice the homeowner to switch or take down personal information to facilitate an unauthorized switch.