TRADING standards chiefs have backed a Government warning which urges gas and electricity suppliers to abide by a special charter, giving customers new rights.
The new voluntary code makes it easier for people who switch supplies in error to return to their original contract.
Officials in North Yorkshire said the de-regulation of the power industry had led to an increased number of complaints to the Energy Watch watchdog, as well as the local trading standards department.
Recent examples of fraudulent sales agents in the county have included:
l The bullying of elderly residents in their own homes into signing application forms for switching supply
l Forging a customer's signature
l Customers being switched to a new company when they have not given consent to do so
l Salesmen tricking their way into people's homes on the false pretence they are there to check meter readings.
North Yorkshire's head of trading standards, Stuart Pudney, said: "We have received numerous complaints concerning unethical sales practices in this sector.
"We welcome this new code of practice and any attempt to give consumers new rights when faced with such a history of unsatisfactory trading practices. We would still like to hear of any complaints concerning the mis-selling of energy supplies."
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