Department of Professional and Financial Regulation Issues Reminder to Consumers and Fuel Dealers about Deadline in Maine Law Regarding Pre-Paid Home Heating Contracts

WASHINGTON, D.C. – October 25, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — Commissioner Anne L. Head from Maine’s Department of Professional and Financial Regulation issued a reminder about the October 31 annual-report filing deadline for fuel dealers who registered earlier this year to offer pre-paid contracts this heating season.

Intended to provide greater protections to consumers who use pre-paid home heating contracts, LD 1895, An Act To Protect Consumers by Strengthening the Laws Governing Prepaid Home Heating Oil Contracts, became Public Law, Chapter 574, in March of 2012. The new law responds to several examples in recent years of dealers failing to supply fuel, leaving the consumers without oil and unable to recover their money.

“The vast majority of fuel dealers in Maine are reputable and honest,” Commissioner Head said. “They provide quality service and care about their customers and communities. To discourage those cases when dealers don’t meet their obligation, however, Maine law now requires greater accountability.”

The law requires a fuel dealer who offers pre-paid contracts for home heating oil, kerosene or liquefied petroleum gas to register the dealer’s intent to offer such contracts with the Department by June 30 each year. It also requires these dealers to file a report with the agency by October 31 each year to indicate how the fuel has been secured.

Additionally, the law requires that the annual report form include a notice that a false statement is punishable as a Class D crime. Under the law’s provisions, the Commissioner is required to refer to the Attorney General any registered dealer who fails to provide the required report or who makes a false statement on the required report. The law provides that a violation of the requirements of Title 10, Section 1110 is a violation of the Maine Unfair Trade Practices Act.

Consumers can check on whether a fuel company registered by the June 30 deadline by visiting the Department’s homepage (www.maine.gov/pfr) or calling (207) 624-8511.

Contact:
Doug Dunbar, Legislative Liaison (207) 624-8525