Are Energy Supplier Robocalls Driving You Nuts? [AUDIO]

A New Jersey lawmaker is sponsoring legislation that calls for big monetary fines if an energy provider makes false or misleading claims to potential customers.

"The measure would also protect consumers from receiving multiple, sometimes harassing phone calls from energy suppliers that are trying to get them to switch from their current energy provider," said Assemblyman Dan Benson.

He said many constituents have told him energy suppliers, that are frequently located out of state, are calling them not just once a day, but sometimes multiple times a day.  Calling that unacceptable, Benson said his measure would limit calls to one a year.

Benson said it's important that people aren't excessively being contacted by these suppliers. His bill would also ensure that consumers aren't being given false or misleading information.

The legislation specifies that any electric power supplier that violates the above provisions shall be liable for a civil penalty of not more than $10,000 for the first offense, and not more than $25,000 for the second and each subsequent offense, for each day that the violation continues.