On Your Side: Beware of too good to be true solar panel sales offers, BBB advises [Video]

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (Edited News Release/KY3) – Solar salesperson at your door? The Better Business Bureau recommends that homeowners carefully weigh unsolicited offers from solar energy companies.

Reputable companies can install solar panels or help you make other clean energy improvements to your home. Still, some scammers use misleading sales tactics to trick homeowners out of money or personal information.

The scam starts when someone pretending to be a salesperson or a government representative contacts you through email, social media, or at your door and offers to install residential solar panels for low or no cost. They might also offer an “energy audit” to reduce your energy costs or guarantee huge rebates or incentives. From there, the scam can take several turns – the “salesperson” may ask you to fill out forms with personal information or pay a deposit upfront. Disreputable companies may also install the panels poorly or not finish the job and disappear with your …