My current power company says 'switch or your power will be cut'. Is that true?

Switching is your free choice. Being rushed with 'switch or it'll be cut off' is unnatural and may be a solicitation or scam. Call the number on your current provider's bill yourself to verify.

Someone visited saying 'we're your company's agent, here to do the procedure'.

Don't believe it on the spot; verify with your current company yourself. Do not sign a contract at the door or hand over your usage notice or personal details (a switching-sales tactic).

I signed on the spot. Can I cancel?

Door-to-door and phone-solicited contracts can often be cancelled unconditionally within a period (generally 8 days from receiving the document) via cooling-off. Check the contract date and give written notice early. If unsure, contact the Consumer Hotline (188).

Can a contract-change notice really be from my current company?

Yes. Your current provider may formally notify you of a plan change. Checking the sender and the number on your bill lets you tell a genuine notice from a solicitation.

Utilities

電気・ガス切替 Solicitation / Contract-Change Notice Explained

This is a solicitation to switch your electricity or gas provider, or a notice that your contract is changing. Since power and gas liberalisation you can choose your company and plan — but ⛔ solicitations that rush you (by phone, door visit, mail or SMS) saying 'your electricity/gas will be cheaper' or 'we're an agent of your current company' (switching sales) have increased. Switching is your free choice and never urgent. Do not sign on the spot; check the content and who is contacting you. You can confirm whether a 'contract change' is really from your current provider using the number on your bill.

Not sure? Scan the paper with Misete and it tells you what it isScan it with Misete →

Watch for scams

⛔ Beware electricity/gas switching and 'inspection' sales: by phone, door visit or SMS, someone says 'we're your company's agent', 'here for an inspection', or 'it'll definitely be cheaper', and switches your contract on the spot or gets your usage notice / personal details. A real power or gas company does not rush you into a contract at your door. Don't respond on the spot; call the number on your current provider's bill yourself to verify. If you did sign, door/phone-solicited contracts can often be cooled off. If stuck, contact the Consumer Hotline (188).

Who receives it

People using electricity/gas at home may be contacted by power/gas companies — or by businesses impersonating them. ⛔ Watch for door visits or calls claiming 'we're here for an inspection' or 'we can make it cheaper' that actually switch your contract (点検商法 / switching sales). Nationality does not matter.

What to do

1Check who it is from (your current company, or another) and whether it is a solicitation or a genuine contract-change notice.
2⛔ Do not sign, agree, or give personal details on the spot. Switching is never urgent.
3Even if told 'it'll be cheaper', call the number printed on your current provider's bill yourself to verify the facts (whether they're really an agent, and the real pricing).
4If you don't want it, decline clearly. Persistent solicitation can be reported to the Consumer Hotline (188).
5If you did sign, door-to-door and phone-solicitation contracts can often be cancelled unconditionally within a period (cooling-off). Check the contract date and act early.

About the deadline

This is not a bill with a payment deadline for you. But cooling-off for a door-to-door or phone-solicited contract has a time limit (generally within 8 days of receiving the document). To cancel, give notice in writing within the period. If unsure, ask the Consumer Hotline (188).

Common misunderstandings

My current power company says 'switch or your power will be cut'. Is that true?: Switching is your free choice. Being rushed with 'switch or it'll be cut off' is unnatural and may be a solicitation or scam. Call the number on your current provider's bill yourself to verify.
Someone visited saying 'we're your company's agent, here to do the procedure'.: Don't believe it on the spot; verify with your current company yourself. Do not sign a contract at the door or hand over your usage notice or personal details (a switching-sales tactic).
I signed on the spot. Can I cancel?: Door-to-door and phone-solicited contracts can often be cancelled unconditionally within a period (generally 8 days from receiving the document) via cooling-off. Check the contract date and give written notice early. If unsure, contact the Consumer Hotline (188).
Can a contract-change notice really be from my current company?: Yes. Your current provider may formally notify you of a plan change. Checking the sender and the number on your bill lets you tell a genuine notice from a solicitation.

Not sure the paper in your hand is this one?

Photograph it and AI tells you which document it is, then turns it into a deadline and a to-do list. Ten scans free when you sign up.

Scan it with Misete

Download onApp Store Download onGoogle Play