On August 18, 2008, I signed a five year contract with Direct Energy. Before that I was with Hydro Ottawa. Since signing contract with DE, I am now been charged double what I used to pay with HO. In 2008, I paid $699; but by end of 2009 I had already paid 1, 320.00. And to break this contract, I will have to pay $598.41. Direct Energy is nothing more than a scam. Can customers be protected from such monsters?