SSE fined £1.25m for doorstep misselling The company's sellers claimed that they had information showing that households were paying too much with their current energy supplier, and could save by switching to SSE. However, they had no information about what contract homeowners had signed with their suppliers. The company was prosecuted by Surrey Trading Standards, and was found guilty in May last year. The fine is thought to be the biggest ever for a Trading Standards prosecution. Steve Playle, who led the investigation for Trading Standards, said: "This was a real David versus Goliath battle which resulted in a victory for consumers everywhere. It should send a message to the energy industry that deceptive, misleading and illegal sales tactics are not acceptable. Most energy companies have now stopped sending representatives to cold call people's homes, since the prosecution started. However, many still make telesales calls. Currently three of the 'Big Six' suppliers, Scottish Power, SSE and npower are being investigated by regulator Ofgem about whether their previous door-step sales practices have broken the rules. Ofgem is also investigating potential misselling by E.ON but is unclear whether this relates to doorstep sales. Audrey Gallacher, Director of Energy at watchdog Consumer Focus said that SSE had not played fair on customers, and called on rival E.On, which still does doorstep selling, to "end this distrusted sales practice immediately." It is positive that since this case started most energy firms have ended cold-call sales on the doorstep. Poor practices like this are unacceptable and drag the reputation of the energy industry further through the mud. We hope the lessons learned from this issue will mean energy firms make sure they put consumer protection and customer service at the heart of all their sales methods," she said. Anyone who feels that they were missold their SSE contract by doorstep sellers can claim compnesation through its sales guarantee, Ms Gallacher said. Under the guarantee, SSE promises that any customer who shows that they switched to SSE after being given inaccurate information or being misled will have any resulting financial loss recompensed. The SSE sales guarantee helpline can be reached on 0845 0707 388. SSE said that it would not challenge the fine and would pay it in full. Director of Sales Stephen Forbes said: "We accept that a company of SSE's standing and with SSE's values should not have found itself in this position and we are very sorry that it did. Energy sales in SSE have been transformed in the three years since this case started and customers should have absolute trust in SSE and complete confidence in the products and service we offer.