Wayne Havrelly reveals the truth behind these misleading mailings.

The mailings have really confused a lot of you about your homes' electrical panels.

We've found that many people who dial the number on this card believe they're calling a local utility. They're not.

"I received a card from you in the mail," said Bruce Weyer, speaking on the phone.

Weyer got one of the notices, which says "Our records indicate the electrical panel in your house is due for its annual service and inspection."

It goes on to say "according to NEMA.10.3, it needs to be done annually."

Whatever NEMA 10.3 is. Weyer thought it sounded official.

"I thought it was coming from some government institution or Seattle City Light," he said.

Tom Evans also received it.

"It even looks like something that might be from a government agency," Evans said.

It's not. It's from a local company called Electroserve.

You won't find the company name anywhere on this card.

Officials at Electroserve declined an on-camera interview.

In a response letter, they say NEMA 10.3 refers to a guideline from the National Electrical Manufacturer's Association.

The NEMA guideline say "Inspect Panelboards once a year."

However, that's not what the people who regulate electrical inspectors in our state recommend.

"When an electrical panel has been inspected and approved it's not necessary to inspect that panel on an annual basis," said Jack Oxford, of the Department of Labor and Industries. "It serves no purpose."

To see if there is a purpose, Bruce Weyer called the number on the card and set up an inspection.

"The services (are) usually $237, but with the card it's how much? Only $86," Weyer said on the phone.

Before Electroserve showed up, we had the homes electrical system fully inspected by an electrician and by an electrical inspector who works for the state.

MORE ON THIS STORYAttorney General's Online Complaint Form

"General condition of the panel seems to be fine," said an electric inspector with the State Department of Labor and Industries.

"Certainly there's nothing wrong with the panel," said another electrician.

So what did the electro serve electrician say about the panelboard after his 22-minute inspection?

It was just fine. That information cost us 86 bucks, plus tax.

Remember what the state inspector says about annual inspections.

It serves no purpose.

And it appears Electroserve made a mistake with this NEMA guideline it refers to.

Our investigation discovered this guideline usually doesn't apply to residential panelboards. Most local electricians already know that.

"The National Electrical Manufacturers Association is geared toward larger installations and commercial installations," said Chuck Cubine, an electrician.

In section one of the NEMA guidelines, it clearly states the following guidelines:

"Excluded are … panelboards designed for residential service."

In a letter from the western field rep for NEMA, he goes as far as calling Electroserve's mailing an "advertising scheme."

But there's yet another misleading statement lurking in this mailing.

"The statement on the card that our records indicate you're due for this inspection could not have possibly been true because we just had it inspected!" said Tom Evans.

Electroserve admits the records they call "our records" are actually from the County Assessor's office.

"It's certainly not ethical to say they have records of our panel," said Bruce Weyer.

Electroserve claims after sending out tens of thousands of these cards they've received fewer than ten written complaints.

Our State Attorney General's office tells us it received 63 written complaints about Electroserve and it s plumbing division called Plumbserve.

It turns out Plumbserve sends out a similar mailing about annual hot water tank inspections.

Electroserve officials recently added its company name to these mailings, following complaints.

However, the words on the cards remain the same.

Our state does have a Consumer Protection Act and the state Attorney General's Office says it does have the ability to address marketing that is misleading.

If you have concerns, our state Attorney General's Office would like to hear from you. File on online complaint here.