In the first eight months of this year, the Economic Inspectorate received 526 complaints regarding misleading and aggressive sales tactics by energy suppliers – twice as many as in the whole of 2019.
The most common tactics were forced purchase attempts, manipulation, intimidation and psychological pressure and deception about the price.
Figures show the increase in the complaints of specific tactics of malpractice from 2021 to 2022.
"Urgent action must be taken to prevent such practices" said Melissa Depraetere (Vooruit), who requested the figures from state secretary for Consumer Protection Eva De Bleeker.
Depraetere points out that vulnerable families and the elderly are most common victims of such techniques. "Certainly with the rising energy prices we have to protect people as best as possible."
