Connecticut Attorney General William Tong announced an investigation into EnergyBillCruncher for making false claims that the government would cover solar installation costs, misusing the state seal, and creating false urgency. The investigation seeks information on the company's ownership, consumer interactions, and partnerships. This is part of broader actions against deceptive solar sales tactics.
In-house legal teams should review all customer-facing agreements (including solar installation contracts, financing agreements, and lead generation partnerships) and vendor agreements with marketing/sales partners. Key clauses to scrutinize include: representations and warranties regarding government rebates or coverage; prohibitions on misuse of government seals or insignia; restrictions on creating false urgency (e.g., artificial deadlines); requirements for clear disclosure of partnerships; and audit rights for marketing materials. Contracts may need amendments to mandate pre-approval of all advertising, include explicit 'no government endorsement' disclaimers, and require partners to warrant compliance with state consumer protection laws. Vendor agreements should also include indemnification for deceptive marketing claims and robust cooperation clauses for regulatory inquiries.
Entity
EnergyBillCruncher.com
Also known as: EnergyBillCruncher
Industry
OtherOfficial Press Release
https://portal.ct.gov/ag/press-releases/2024-press-releases/attorney-general-tong-announces-investigation-into-energybillcruncher
2024 08 02 energybillcruncher letter.pdf?rev=f5c516e57d1f4df
https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/ag/press_releases/2024/2024-08-02-energybillcruncher-letter.pdf?rev=f5c516e57d1f4df8a7d17ca5eaae82bf&hash=6A831D0DDF6CAADC3DEB832938346811
Connecticut Attorney General Enforcement Page
https://portal.ct.gov/AG/Privacy/Privacy-Resources
$20K
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong announced a $20,000 settlement with EnergyBillCruncher.com for misleading solar marketing tactics, including false claims about government coverage, misuse of the state seal, and false urgency in social media ads. The company must cease these practices and notify its solar installer partners.
$29.6M
Attorney General Jennifer Davenport joined a coalition of 48 states and territories in a $29.6 million settlement with Glenmark, a generic drug manufacturer, for allegedly conspiring to artificially inflate and manipulate prices, reduce competition, and restrain trade for numerous generic prescription drugs. The settlement includes cooperation in ongoing litigations and internal reforms to ensure fair competition.
$29.6M
Attorney General William Tong led a coalition of 48 states and territories in a $29.6 million settlement with Glenmark, a generic drug manufacturer, to resolve allegations of a widespread conspiracy to artificially inflate prices, reduce competition, and unreasonably restrain trade for numerous generic prescription drugs. The settlement includes cooperation from Glenmark in ongoing multistate litigations and internal reforms to ensure fair competition and compliance with antitrust laws.
$18.0M
Attorney General William Tong led a coalition of 42 attorneys general in a settlement with the bankruptcy trustee for 23andMe, resolving allegations from a 2023 data breach that compromised the genetic data of 6.9 million customers. The settlement includes $150 million in allowed claims, with $18 million paid from bankruptcy funds, and requires enhanced data security measures for the new entity holding the data.
Attorney General William Tong joined a coalition of 12 attorneys general in suing to block the $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. by Paramount Skydance Corporation. The lawsuit alleges the merger violates Section 7 of the Clayton Act by substantially lessening competition in theatrical film distribution and basic cable television licensing, which would harm consumers through higher prices and reduced quality.
Attorney General William Tong and 48 other attorneys general submitted comments to the FCC urging stronger rules to prevent scammers from accessing legitimate telephone numbers for illegal robocalls. The coalition is responding to the FCC's proposed rules and asks for measures such as stronger certification, reporting, and prohibitions on number cycling.