What to know about soliciting in Tiffin

TIFFIN—A common type of solicitor in Tiffin is from alternate energy providers. The A-T reached out to Tiffin's city administrator Nick Dutro to understand how residents should handle this type of solicitor, when to get law enforcement involved and how to join NOPEC's Do Not Knock registry. "Residents are not required to open their doors to solicitors and residents should not provide a copy of their bill to a solicitor," Dutro said. "On their website, the Ohio Consumers' Counsel advises against buying energy from a marketer during a door-to-door sale or at an in-store or conference promotion and instead to use the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) Apples to Apples comparison program." He advised that if a resident is interested in a program a solicitor is offering, they should ask for information to be left with them and read the information thoroughly before signing up. If a resident does ask a solicitor to leave, they are required to leave, according to the Ohio Administrative Code. There are times that a solicitor may present themselves as a representative of your utility company (typically AEP or Columbia Gas). Dutro explained that in 1999, the state began to allow consumers to choose their energy provider. "While the means of transmitting a utility may be provided by a particular company (in Tiffin, all electric lines are owned and operated by AEP Ohio and gas lines are owned by Columbia Gas), residents may opt to purchase their utilities from an energy marketer or government aggregation, both of which purchase electric or natural gas on the open market and sell it back to consumers, sometimes at a reduced rate than the utility's standard offer," he continued. State law does require solicitors to display information that shows the name of the company they represent along with a photo ID. Additionally, PUCO requires energy marketers to list their offers for natural gas and electricity on its Energy Choice Ohio website, energychoice.ohio.gov "Tiffin Codified Ordinance requires anyone going door-to-door to register with the Chief of Police or their designee and obtain a license, which requires that names and personal information of all solicitors and their company name, among other provisions," Dutro said. "It should be noted that AEP Ohio (AEP Energy is a separate energy marketer that is affiliated with AEP Ohio but is not an agent of AEP Ohio) and Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council (NOPEC), of which Tiffin is a member, do not sell door-to-door." Residents can ask a solicitor to provide their license, ensuring they are properly registered with the city. City ordinance requires that all solicitors register with the chief of police. A solicitor's license can be revoked in some circumstances, including making a false statement on their application, making misrepresentations or untrue statements or conducting themselves unlawfully such as refusing to leave if asked. Residents can contact the local police department or PUCO if they feel a solicitor has acted illegally or improperly. "If a resident feels that a solicitor is in violation of Tiffin Codified Ordinances or the Ohio Administrative Code in their contact while going door-to-door, they may contact the Police Department," Dutro said. "Depending on the situation, an officer may ask the solicitor to move on or may begin the process of having their license revoked." To prevent solicitors from coming to your door, you can sign up with the Do Not Knock registry, maintained by NOPEC. The registry is provided to solicitors when they apply for their licenses. Signing up for the registry is the responsibility of a homeowner or resident. You can register by requesting a form at City Hall, 51 E. Market St., or by registering online at www.blocktheknock.com "It is unlawful for any solicitor to knock on the door or enter the home of someone who is on the "Do Not Knock Registry" or upon which there is a posted notice warning solicitors not to enter," he explained. "Any violation of this may be reported to the Tiffin Police Department and it may be determined to revoke that solicitors' license." Dutro concluded by reminding residents that the city has been a member of NOPEC since 2014. "Residents may enroll or drop out of NOPEC at no cost and at any time by contacting NOPEC at 855-667-3201. Every two years, NOPEC sends out cards in the mail letting residents know they have been re-enrolled in the program unless they choose to opt out. NOPEC will show up on a customer's AEP bill as either NOPEC or NextEra Energy." To see and compare rates for energy and gas suppliers through the Apples to Apples Choice program, visit https://energeychoice.ohio.gov