The energy crisis currently affecting the market is pushing some to try by all means to reduce their energy bill. Between those who try to tamper with their meter or pump energy upstream and those who try to make money by entering into illegal contracts, the illegal “tricks” are numerous. But energy suppliers are keeping an eye out. This is particularly the case at Engie where several employees have made it possible to sign a fixed rate contract when this is simply no longer allowed by the supplier.
“We actually identified 17 cases of employees who allowed themselves this practice when we had clearly indicated to everyone that we no longer allowed, given the current situation, to offer fixed prices. Clear instructions had been given”says Anne-Sophie Hugé, communication manager at Engie. “Unfortunately, these 17 employees took a big risk because they are under threat of dismissal.”
However, Engie would like to point out that a very large number of employees are assigned to the task of concluding contracts and that these 17 people therefore represent only a few unfortunate isolated cases. “We remind all of our employees that we maintain our confidence in them. These suspected cases of fraud remain marginal.”
The company also does not wish to comment on the profile and identity of the employees involved in these cases of alleged fraud. “We clearly deplore the situation and the consequences it may entail, but these irregular operations of concluding contracts at fixed prices, often under conditions that are no longer those of the current market, cannot be tolerated. These are clearly practices that do not align with the values of our company and they cannot go unpunished.”
