Consumers need to beware of door-to-door energy salespersons, reports WCBS. Jane Malone was told she could "lock in savings" with a 5 year contract with US Energy, but when she got her bill it was double what she was paying before. The service charges alone were more than the price of the energy. When she went to cancel, they wanted to charge her $1800 in cancellation fees.

"Several companies are engaging in these very aggressive tactics against consumers and small businesses, many of the people and the businesses are getting ripped off," said City Councilman John Liu. "There needs to be stronger regulation." — BEN POPKEN

Rising Energy Costs Leave Many Vulnerable To Scams [WCBS]
RELATED: Consumerist's undercover investigation into IDT Energy.