CUB has issued a summer scam alert. Be careful about anyone knocking at your door, claiming to be from the utility. Read all about the “utility imposter” scam, and take our pledge to warn your neighborhood!…
CUB’s guide to avoiding bad gas deals
Gas customers in Illinois have the option of choosing an unregulated alternative gas company instead of the regulated utility for their gas supply. Making the right choice, however, can be hard work! And now that utility heating prices are at their lowest in nearly 15 years, it is more important than ever to do your homework. See CUB’s consumer alert…
CUB proposal: Videotape door-to-door power pitches
Today, we issued a consumer alert urging people to sign CUB’s petition asking the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) to require electricity suppliers to videotape their door-to-door electricity pitches. Such a proposal is probably a first in the nation, and the alternative electricity suppliers (of course) are fighting it tooth and nail. This is the latest development in a campaign for…
CUB endorsement: Programs to help lower your gas bills!
…select smart thermostats are now available for purchase at a discount and include FREE installation. The program is available to owners of single-family homes, two-flats, condos and townhomes. Renters are also eligible with permission from their landlord. If you are interested in participating in energySMART, fill out the short form here and we will alert the utility. Nicor Gas will…
Julie’s report: Big ICC developments against bad power marketing
Today, CUB sent out an alert from Litigation Director Julie Soderna about two big developments in the battle to clean up Illinois’ competitive electricity market. The consumer watchdog is asking everyone to send a message to the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC), urging regulators: Don’t stop now! Here’s what’s happened…. Julie Soderna, CUB litigation director Sperian Probe (Docket No. 15-0438): The…
A big change for Chicagoans… and a free tool to help
Beginning in August, more than 600,000 Chicago households will switch from the City’s municipal power deal with Constellation Energy back to ComEd, marking the end of the largest deal of its kind in the country. With the mass exodus of customers, Chicago residents need to be on high alert. The big switch could spark an advertising blitz from alternative suppliers…
Storm safety tips
…or fire. After power is restored, wait 5 to 10 minutes before turning them back on. Do not touch a circuit breaker or replace a fuse with wet hands or while standing on a wet surface. Report the outage immediately. Don’t assume neighbors will take care of the issue. Be proactive and alert the utility to the situation—besides, more voices…
CUB Action Network members give good advice!
Last week, CUB alerted consumers to the latest cons and rip-offs in Illinois. We then asked you to share if you’ve heard about any other scams. Hundreds of CUB Action Network members spoke up, and we wanted to share some of the most common responses. Home Repair scams “Hail Storm has brought out both mailings and door-to-door individuals asking to…
Scam Alert
Utility-related issues, telecommunications complaints, identity theft and fraud all made Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s top 10 list of consumer concerns. With new scams creeping up every day, read CUB’s list of cons and rip-offs so you can protect yourself. Let us know if you have heard of these scams, and you’ll be entered in a drawing to win five…
Consumer Alert: Highest prices in the Illinois electric market
The Illinois electric market can be confusing (and expensive!) but CUB is here to help. We reviewed more than 100 individual offers from alternative electric suppliers across Illinois and we want to warn you about the highest prices we found. Some of these rates about double that of the regulated utility! In ComEd territory, the highest prices (as of Jan….
