Four out of ten consumers have been ‘cold called’ by an energy firm, according to a new survey published by Citizens Advice.
And the consumer body is calling for the rest of the industry to follow SSE’s lead and stop unwelcome and intrusive sales calls.
Gillian Guy, chief executive of national charity Citizens Advice, said: ”Energy companies should be working hard to rebuild the trust of consumers.
“The recent decision made by SSE and E.ON to stop cold calling is the right one and now we’d like to see other energy firms do the same.”
SSE took the decision to end cold calling last month recognising that they are disturbing and unwelcome to many people.
In future SSE’s supply brands – Southern Electric, Scottish Hydro and SWALEC will only contact customers they already have a relationship with or potential customers who have previously agreed to a call.
SSE’s Group Managing Director, Retail, Will Morris said: “Nobody likes receiving a sales call out of the blue and so we are stopping it.
“It doesn’t matter that other energy companies still do it, or other industries for that matter, cold calling is not something that a company like SSE - committed to providing an excellent customer experience - should be doing any longer.
“We want to be a company that sells itself, one that is recognised for being the best in its sector and one that people choose to buy from.
”This decision to end unsolicited calls is part of becoming that company and demonstrates that we are dedicated to delivering what customers want.”
E.ON followed within hours of SSE’s announcmenet with a similar announcement of their own.
British Gas, Scottish Power, npower and EDF continue to cold call potential customers.