Handle solar-sales postcards after buying a house

Work out who is selling

1. Read both sides of the card, including the small print and any reply panel. Write each business name on its own line and label it advertiser, installer, finance brand or unclear.
2. Record any savings, rebate or benefit claim as something to verify with the named program, utility or public agency through a trusted contact. The wording alone does not establish whether the offer is a private sale or an official program.
3. Pick the company presenting the offer as your recipient. If the advertiser and installer are the same business, one request is enough.
4. Look that company up independently and ask whether it offers a postal marketing opt-out.
5. If another brand on the card also appears to be selling to you, send it a separate request. Record each company, date and channel.

When the card is unclear

Some postcards label the roles plainly. Others show only a logo and a phone number. If you cannot tell who is making the offer, mark the line unclear and ask the company you can identify whether the mailing is its own.

The FTC notes that official-looking property notices and check-like inserts may be advertising for unrelated contracts, and it advises verifying a claimed bank relationship through a contact route you already trust. Recorded purchase information can also be public, according to the CFPB, so a card that refers to your new home has not proved it knows you. Look into anything uncertain before you reply. Do not assume the card is either fraudulent or legitimate.

Fill in the worksheet for this card

Complete the worksheet for the postcard you have now and send the request to the company you marked as advertiser. When a later solar card arrives, check its names against the worksheet to see whether that sender is new or one you already contacted.

Official sources

• FTC: Notice in the Mail About Your Property
• CFPB: After Closing