The Fall is here!

The fall has finally arrived. The leaves have changed its color from green to various shades of red & yellow. The Creek is over flowing and constantly producing rhythmic sounds, which resonate far away. The smell of the mud, the drizzle now and then, followed by the breeze, the chirping birds in the backyard on a muggy day turns any ordinary man in to poet. The streets are filled with colorful leaves, which look more of a colorful bed spread. And then, you have children playing. This is indeed the most beautiful sight. Life in this part of the world definitely looks beautiful. I’m truly blessed to see these simple wonders every single day. And I thank my creator for giving an opportunity to experience his creations during its peak. Just being a part of  Nature is an ecstatic feeling. I am humbled and moved. And once again, I thank my creator and my husband, without them I wouldn’t be here!!          

A Tip-Top Conman!

Just cannot believe that I saved my landlady from Direct Energy Scam.  Just a week back I wrote on energy resellers’ scam here This afternoon, a tall back male in his 20s was here inspecting furnace. He said it is 8 years old and needs to be replaced. He offered to do it for free of cost.  My landlady is of Pakistani origin and not well verse in English. He made her sign few documents and collected some personal info. After he left I realized this was a scam. The time I informed my landlady, it was too late as she signed the contract with out reading it. Anyways, I did inform her that the whole dealing is sham. Poor lady, as she heard the horrors of direct energy customers from the net, she was visibly shaken.  She was very worried, her husband was not aware of this. I called the number from the pamphlet and spoke to the guy. I told him I had some questions and wanted to clarify it, he readily agreed to meet me at my residence. When he showed up, the landlord with his usual authoritative voice, asked for every document that as her signature and personal information. The shrewd guy, gave only 3 copies… Landlord was smart enough to identify the missing one. The sales agent had retained the carbon copy without their consent. Only when demanded for it, he handed it over.

She insisted me to talk to the sales agent like it was ''her'' talking. I processed her request and spoke to the guy like her. While I was on the phone with him, I asked him as why he needed the DOB; he gave me some weird answer. He said it is for the lawyers!! What the hell , why would ones lawyer need their clients DOB, that too a 3rd party collecting it??  I knew this guy is lying thru’ his teeth. What they are indulging in is unethical business practices and it is illegal too. Today, she was saved, what about others who unknowingly fall in to these traps?? I think only awareness of such devious practices by the energy resellers is the only way to stop these kinds of scams.  Just the satisfaction of knowing that I have helped someone is just an awesome feeling. However there are people who always fall for such scams. I only hope that people remain attentive when strangers visit their place of residence for whatever  reasons. I asked the most important question; why she let the guy in? the answer she gave me was shocking.  Without even verifying his authenticity, the lady had come to a conclusion about the guy only by his looks.  He looked authentic, she said. This is the best example as how looks can be deceptive.

An appeal to all Homeowners, never ever let anyone inspect your furnace or any other gadgets, unless you have personally scheduled an appointment and also previously interacted with the party either on the phone or in person.

Anyway, take care guys and happy weekend!   

I'm Important!

Okay I am peeved.

I called my maternal aunt in India to talk to her. Honestly, I really did not have anything important to speak. Just wanted to chitchat. My cousin picked up the call in 2 rings and did not even say ‘’hello’’ and started acting weird, she was so faking when she said she couldn’t hear me. She was trying to pass the phone to her brother, who refused to talk to me. I heard my aunt whisper. She told her daughter to tell me that she is in the rest room, a hopeless excuse for avoiding me. My cousin instead of conveying it to me, she coldly hung up on me adding salt to the injury.  I get it Aunt!!

This one incident triggered all the bad memories. I recall those persons who were mean and cold. Like my sister–in-law. I am sure many women can relate to what I am saying. She was cold and even had the audacity to tell me that my husband made a mistake by marrying me. She believes I ruined her best pal’s life. Her best pal had a crush on my husband, and it was staged in such a way that everyone in the house kind of approved her. However, my husband was in love with me and wanted to marry only me. He had no such intentions for that poor girl. From the day I got married to till this date she simply hates me. In fact her marriage is fixed, and it is secluded for this Nov, and she has not even bothered to inform me. She simply do not talk to me. Also, she makes it a point that my MIL fights with me now and then. Then my co-sister, the coldest of all, she did not even bothered to share the good news with us. She is pregnant and came to know about it through MIL. I still went ahead to congratulate the first-time mom-to-be she did not even acknowledge and snapped me instead. I still tried to keep in touch with her thru’ e-mails and calls, to my loss I never heard from her. That was the end of the sisterhood.

Next, I have decided to take measures that will prevent me from facing such cold situations in future. The lesson that I have learnt today is for the rest of my life. I will ensure that I will no longer call my aunt. If she has something important to convey, she will find a way to reach me; I have absolutely no business with her. I know I am sounding harsh, but it is always good to maintain a safe distance with people who do not understand you. And that is exactly what I am heading for.  I’ve a policy where people who hurt me with acrid comments and with their indifference, I forgive them and forget them once for all. 

I know I am being very critical about myself, but somewhere I do believe that I should not associate with anything or anyone who makes it a point to demean me.  I should treat the people depending on how they treat me. What goes around comes around. Period. Myself esteem is more important to me than appeasing another person. And I honestly do believe that I am as good as the next person.  Besides, I do not ill treat anyone; my friends’ circle stands as a testimony.

Honestly, I do need to address the problem without further delay. I am impulsive and this my weakness. I need to find an activity that will keep me busy so that I do not have wonder my mind around. Anyway, the whole experience has made me realize that I am important and how I am being treated does matters to me. 

Beware of Energy Resellers Scams!!

Well, I got another interview call and to my horror this too turned out to be a scam, what is even worst is this company  is a part of the previous company, and is operating under a different name. As I was tricked in to this scam before (luckily I did not waste my time or my money in to it) I’ve decided to bring awareness against such scams to general public as how these crooks take advantage of unsuspecting people.  The company in question is ‘’Just Energy’’ also DBA ‘’National Home Services’’ and several other names. I replied to an ad that was on Jobs Classified (JC), the ad looked very attractive, all it said was make $1000/week. I have worked previously and I know this was an average wage, it did not look scam to me at the first sight. Like any other job seeker would do, I emailed a copy of my resume to the e-mail address that was posted on JC. The very same afternoon I got a reply from a person from Just Energy! She scheduled an interview for the following day with me. I was all thrilled, getting back to work is exciting to me. With same excitement I attended the interview, which was scheduled at their Islington Office. I was early by 30 minutes. Later I met this lady. Unlike other interviewers this lady spoke more to me, and did not let me speak- I found it odd. She did NOT ask me the usual questions like, where do you want to see yourself from 5 years from now, and the other questions usually interviewer would ask. The real red flag was raised when she showed me the checks that were posted on the walls of her room!! She told me these were the checks  the people earned  every week it ranges from $20,000 to $200. I was not at all impressed, c’mon I want a  job, but not desperate. At the end of the interview, I was asked to come for the training. She said, two days will be class training and 3^rd day will be fieldwork. I agreed.

Being a net savvy that I am, I googled ‘’Just Energy’’ I wanted to know more about my future employer. And what did I do??  I just opened cans of worms!! I am not quite sure from where to start, their history is such!! For the beginning you need to know that former ENRON employees run this company; scamming is their forte! For the people who do not know ENRON scandal, they can read it from here.  Next, I checked with the Better Bureau Business (Chicago) and it has “F” rating , the worst rating. And the following reasons were given;

• 506 complaints filed against business
• Failure to respond to 19 complaints filed against business.
• 39 complaints filed against business that were not resolved.
• Overall complaint history with BBB.
• Government action(s) against business.
• BBB does not have sufficient background information on this business.
• Business has failed to resolve underlying cause(s) of a pattern of complaints.
• One serious complaint filed against business.

There are even more serious charges against this company. For a full report about Just Energy by Better Bureau Business, read it at the latter’s website. ( Click here )  These energy resellers have their heart at the wrong place.  They mistreat both customers and the people who work for them. I will get back to you as how their sales men are mistreated at a latter part. Just Energy are energy resellers, and their door-to-door sales men will lie trough their teeth to bring the customers on board, if you fall for it you may very well forget any savings. When you sign up with them, you’re signing up for a 5 years contract. If you break it, expect a hefty fine for breaking the contract. These sales men are so conniving that without your consent they will switch your utility provider to Just Energy, this is very frequent with non-English speaking people and lonely elderly people & elderly couple. Read the unsavory details at consumerist blog ( Click here) The sales people of just energy are not the actual employees they are independent contractors and work for 100% commission. I was hired as an independent contractor, and the interviewer did not mention this to me! She neither said it is 100% commission based nor will I be hired as an independent contractor, the worst part was the training is not a paid training!!  Even if you make sales, there is no guarantee that paychecks are on time. Ideally this is NOT a job you should be doing if you’re living a hand to mouth life!  These contractors are made to sign a contract with Just energy that hold themselves responsible incase you mess up in your sales. Read as how 3 just energy salesmen facing charges on fraud that supposedly used personal information from four consumers to forge energy contracts they never agreed to (click here). There are many malpractices by these independent contractors. If you wear your heart on your sleeves, you should not be working for Just Energy or the likes.

What you need to do if an energy sales man shows up at your doorstep.

1.   Never give them a chance to talk to you

2.   Never share your hydro bills with anyone. Hydro Bills contains your enough personal information, which can be used to change your utility provider to Just Energy.

3.   Don’t enter in to a long term contract with them

4.   Never sign any papers. Do not fall for their cheap tricks. You don’t save a dime!

5.   Remember, the choice is ultimately YOURS not theirs. Read the OEB's consumer's rights as well as energychoiceontario.com

Here is a forum that gives more info about energy resellers scams (click here) !  If you’re business or residential customer do not entertain any energy resellers, EVER!! Guard your personal information from these thieves. Be safe and be happy!

Take care and I will meet you all soon!! Remember, you take the  first step to protect yourself!