Public Utility Commission Cautions Against Copycat Online Energy Shopping Websites

from Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission

Photo courtesy of Andrew Neel on Unsplash

This holiday season, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) issued a consumer alert about the rise of look-alike websites mimicking the state’s official energy shopping platforms – PAPowerSwitch.com and PAGasSwitch.com.

Unofficial copycat or look-alike sites often top search engine results or appear prominently in social media ads, misleading consumers who are looking for fair and unbiased information about energy shopping.

The PUC’s energy shopping websites – clearly marked as “The Official Electric Shopping Websites of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission” – are designed to provide consumers with impartial and comprehensive information. This holiday season, it is crucial that consumers are aware of imitation sites that may offer less favorable or restrictive energy deals.

Consumers are encouraged to directly visit PAPowerSwitch.com and PAGasSwitch.com to ensure they are using the PUC’s verified, independent resources. These platforms offer extensive information about consumer rights and the full range of choices available, helping Pennsylvanians make informed decisions based on transparent and neutral data. Whether evaluating direct mail offers, telemarketing pitches, or online ads, these sites provide a reliable benchmark to assess the competitiveness and terms of energy offers.

Safe online shopping tips for this holiday season

• Verify the URL: Always check the web address to ensure you are visiting an official PUC site. Look-alikes may feature slight variations intended to confuse users.
• Look for Comprehensive Information: Official PUC sites provide detailed explanations of consumer rights and comprehensive comparisons of offers, along with information about energy efficiency and conservation. Be wary of sites that do not offer this depth of information.
• Seek Neutral Advice: PAPowerSwitch and PAGasSwitch are committed to offering unbiased information, free from commercial influences. If a site pushes certain offers excessively, it might not be neutral.

When shopping for energy deals, especially online, you may be required to provide personal details, such as account numbers and other sensitive information, to potential suppliers. It is crucial to ensure that you are dealing with a trusted business and using a secure system. Before sharing any personal details, confirm that you are interacting with reputable and verified suppliers to protect yourself from fraudulent activities and potential identity theft.

Consumers seeking to verify if an energy supplier is authorized to operate in Pennsylvania may do so by checking the PUC website list of licensed electric generation suppliers and licensed natural gas suppliers. Note: Not all suppliers post their offers on PAPowerSwitch and PAGasSwitch. That is a business decision made by each individual supplier.

For more information about safe and effective energy shopping and to ensure you are accessing the correct resources, please visit PAPowerSwitch.com and PAGasSwitch.com. Stay safe online and make informed decisions with trusted resources from your Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.

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Source: bctv