I got several calls from Kelly regarding my gas bill.  I didn't answer the calls cause I know it was a scam. Ealier I got a call from 301-242-5142 regarding Novak, asking me if he could talk to the person who handles electric and gas bill... didn't know the name of the person he is calling...when he asked for my account number, I told him "If you know me, why are you asking for my account number?" He said just to verify...I told him I am not going to give anybody my account number, he then talked fast ang hanged up...IF YOU GET THE CELL PHONE NUMBER 301-242-5142, BEWARE!

Every day I get a call at home from perky Kelly at Novak, even though I'm on the do not call list.  Now she is calling at work, where clearly I don't have a gas account.  Is there any way to get FTC to stop these annoying calls?

I keep getting the calls too. This time I actually was talking to someone and they were trying to get my info. but I told them I was concerned it was a scam and was not interested in  working with them. They said they were working with washington gas to help people lower payments. Except that I don't even have an account with washington gas....

I keep receiving these recorded messages from Kelly and Novec on my cell phone. They cannot have gotten my number from Washington Gas because I know for a fact that I have never given my cell phone number to Washington Gas.  There is no way that this can be a legal call.  I have filed a complaint with the FCC at http://www.fcc.gov

A Lisa called my voicemail about my natural gas bill. A scam. I have no Novak Account. Never heard of it. I refuse to call them back. gave phone as 877-401-8552

Same thing here. Kelly from Novak left a message for me to call back with my bill in hand. Oh hellll no...

Left voicemail asking for the person responsible for paying the Washington Gas bill

I too called Novek headquarters, and spoke with an operator there called "Kelly." She was sympathetic, but said that our information had probably been acquired from Washington Gas.

Washington Gas confirmed they distribute information to third parties by default via a program called, "Customer Options."

Apparently, the laws here allow this sort of sharing, by default. Customers must call Washington Gas to explicitly ask their contact data not be shared. The company is then obligated to comply.

To file a complaint (or speak with a knowledgeable operator) with the Maryland Public Services Commission, use their website, here:
http://webapp.psc.state.md.us/Intranet/capa/ComplaintNotes_new.cfm

Constantly calling my iPhone and leaving the same message everyone has described above. Calling. My. iPhone.

Dear Kelly: please light yourself on fire.

I receive a call from this number / solicitator regularly regarding my utility bill.

Please help make these calls stop by doing 2 things:

1.)Ask your utility company to remove your name from the list that they are required to share with "Customer Choice Program" suppliers.

2.) File a complaint with your state's "Public Service Commission" regarding harassing telemarketing calls made by "Customer Choice Program" suppliers. i.e. NOVEC

www.psc.state.md.us
https://eservice.washgas.com/library/resident ... FTOKEN=90264728

Kelly from Novec left a message about my utility bill over and over again. Five or six times over the last month.

Same scam ... Kelly with Novak ... "call with bills in hand" ... third time I've received the exact same voice mail

Thanks for your research Thirdecho. I have been getting calls form "Kelly" for over a month. I thought it could be related to my BGE electric bill or Washington Gas but the whole NOVEC thing threw me for a loop.

I have been receiving the same generic and prerecorded calls from Kelly at Novec as well for the past month or so. I found this a bit odd given that I had just moved to the area and had no land line. Having only a cell phone with an out-of-state area code I was surprised that they had my information (in hindsight the only explanation is that Washington Gas gave it to them). After a bit of research I found a number of posts, like this one, and assumed it was a scam as well. However, after the twentieth call from Kelly I was getting a little annoyed and decided to call back and dig deeper.

Here is what I found:

The call went as expected and seemed very shady. I provided no information and pushed for confirmation of their affiliation with Washington Gas. The man who answered kept trying to sell me a discount on natural gas but finally relented and admitted that they are not affiliated with Washington Gas but are one of their natural gas suppliers. I was still a bit skeptical and refused to provide any personal information and ended the call. He also seemed to loose interest once I mentioned I lived in an apartment and was not able to choose my utilities.

Following that, and confirming how to spell Novec with the man, I researched the company further. It ends up that they are a legit supplier for Washington Gas. I have listed a few helpful links below regarding Novec Energy Solutions (which is a for profit affiliate of the parent company Novec). I also contacted Novec Energy Solutions directly at their real number (1-888-627-SAVE and/or 703-335-0500) and found out that the 1-877-401-8552 number actually belonged to a telemarketing firm that they were outsourcing to.

Links:
- BBB Rating for Novec - http://www.bbb.org/washington-dc-eastern-pa/b ... 5/#reasonrating
- Novec's Energy Solutions Website - http://www.novecenergysolutions.com/contact.htm
- Novec's Parent Company - http://www.novec.com/
- And lastly a reference to Novec on the Washington Gas website as a legitimate supplier - https://eservice.washgas.com/library/resident ... FTOKEN=90264728

So, although annoying it appears that the calls are not scams but rather tasteless and poorly executed promotional efforts through an outsourced telemarketing company. However, even with this new information I doubt I would give them any of my personal information... better to be on the safe side.

same thing- Kelly from Novak.  Didn't answer- keeps calling

I saw this thread and then called them back just to see what was up, someone answered and they just said they were offering "cheaper" gas than what I was currently getting.  I told them not interested and that was it.

I continue to receive the same call. I never pick up and just allow it to go to v-mail. Since the message is always repeatedly cut of and all I get is "...and have your bills in hand. Thaaaaanks. Babye!"... I'm not too worried. I just wish they'd STOP CALLING ME ALREADY! ;(

Same exact thing for me.  Kelly from Novack keeps calling and leaving me the same message.

I just got the same message from Kelly. I have received this call several times before and told them not to call me anymore. Is there any way to stop them from calling?

I also got a voicemail from a Kelly calling from Novak about gas or electric did even know what the customer has shows you its fraud right there. I never heard of this number or Novak and 800 numbers usually are telemarketer scammers no written proof by US postal mail ever found. Don't believe any of these callers and don't pay. If it was legitimate they have to provide proof in writing first and then you would know who the caller is. Another clue besides the 800 number is they dont give the person on the other line their whole name, if you start asking them information they will hang up on you.

Kelly at Novak Natural Gas left me a message to call with my bills in hand. I paused for a moment and remembered that I have electric. Then I thought that someone might have used my name to open an account. I almost called back but then had the inspiration to Google them. Ah hah!! Busted!
I suspect that when you call back they then note your line as being "live" and you are attacked with other like calls, even if you refuse to pay their charges. Please remember, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER give them your social or any other personal information. Ask them to put it in writing and send you a snail mail bill to your home. Betcha they won't!! Don't be fooled even if they sound mean and threatening on the phone. They're just trying to manipulate you.

Similar to JB.  Recorded message, repeated calls to a non-published number. Doesn't wait for hello, so I have never heard the first half of the message.  Instructions to call back about a gas or electric bill.  Smells like a scam or aggressive marketing for an electricity (or gas) middleman.

Just received the same exact call to my cell phone.  Kelly from "Novak" about my natural gas and or electric bill.  I don't ever answer 1800 #'s, but they left the same message that others have said.

like wise- kelly from Novak, probably a scam, will not be calling back.  She  did not even say my name- this is probably a recording.  10AM on a saturday morning- ODD!

I also got a call from Kelly at Novak from this number about my "natural gas and/or electricity bill" and to call with bills in hand. At 9pm, which was very rude!

I didn't call back, as we do not have an account with any company by that name.  Very annoying.

Also got a random message from "Kelly at Novak" about my "gas or electric bill", telling me to call back with both bills in hand. Did not respond.

Got a random message from "Kelly at Novak" about my "gas or electric bill."

Told me to call back with both bills in hand. Um, no. Thanks much, but I'd rather not be scammed today.

Any clue where this is from?

"Live" toll-free call. Representative NEEDED to speak to the person responsible for paying the ComEd electric bill. I asked if the call was an emergency (I NEED TO SPEAK sounds like something urgent). She asked me for me by name. I refused to tell her with whom she was speaking. I asked her what was the purpose of the call? She said to confirm I had received an electric bill insert containing the names of alternative electricity suppliers. I said if it was supposed to be in the envelope, it was received. Is there anything else you want? She asked me if I wanted to  save 15 percent on my electricity bill. I said I had answered her insert question and that was all I was going to answer. End of call. In Illinois provider of the actual utility (gas, electricity) is separated from the deliverer. Further, this unbundling-deregulation is forcing utility cost volatility and increases. In fact, under this scheme, utility producers, who own the means of production/storage are selling their product independently from the delivery companies they own who also are selling product, The effect is to compete within the same vertical business and artificially force prices higher (like Enron did in CA). I am sure they will keep calling back, but that number has been blocked.