Parakletos Association advises consumers to challenge excessive energy bills, not wait for state's intervention

Consumers who consider that they are charged too much for gas and electricity should challenge the bills at the National Consumer Protection Authority (ANPC), the Competition Council or in court and shouldn't wait for the state to solve their problem, president of the Parakletos Consumer Association, lawyer Gheorghe Piperea told a press conference on Wednesday, Agerpres reports.

"File as many complaints as possible with ANPC and the Competition Council, because what is happening is anti-competitive, monopolistic practice, you are being ripped off, driven into ruin. This is anti-competitive conduct, according to the relevant legislation. If ANPC or the Competition Council doesn't offer you a timely response, bombard them with tens of thousands of such petitions and at some point someone in Parliament will notice this and take action, for example by deciding to sack the entire Competition Council for inaction. One cannot ignore a disgruntled mass of people, and if the politicians see that there's a flood of incoming complaints, they will finally acknowledge that there is a problem and that the situation can be regulated based on the current law," said Piperea.

According to him, the state budget subsidy for power and gas bills is insignificant.

He gave the example of three types of clauses that can be considered abusive: additional documents that automatically take effect if the customer does not send a reply, utility shut-off within 30 days and settlement invoices.

"The consumer is far too insignificant for that corporation to consider him. They only take heed when you take vigorous action with lawsuits and complaints to ANPC. Take action and you may have a chance to solve the problem, don't wait for the state to sort it out," said the representative of the consumer protection association, adding that VAT on utilities should be zero until the pandemic passes.