Meter Readers - eeeek!!

gozaimasu

Really old thread. Goodbye

Cardew

Your suspicion is that he noted your meter serial numbers and you will soon be switching to EON/NPOWER/SE/SP etc????

Just send an email to your Utility company if that is your worry

gozaimasu

:rotfl:

No my worry is that he was not a genuine meter reader! I'd like to know how to check this.

elektra

I'm sure he probably was a genuine meter reader, but you are right to check yourself about id. I'm sure they should be wearing some or able to produce if asked.

I don't think every company uses Accuread. Why don't you phone your supplier and ask who they use and whether you were due a meter reading. I noticed on my parents bills today it stated that their meters were read by Accuread (never noticed that before on bills).

logie28

ask your neighbour ( when they get in) what it says on the leaflet!! if it says Accuread with a space for meter readings. Its a safe bet it was legit!!

If it says something else, then worry, dont worry now. I f there is a phone number on the leaflet, ring it.

gozaimasu

I'm pretty sure our supplier uses Accuread since I've seen them around before. I had a look for the van in the area which has been there on previous occasions...but this time I couldn't see it, so it got me a bit panicky.

Usually the ID is visible, this time it wasn't. I know I should have asked, but it's so disappointing...the people who take these jobs on surely know about customer's concerns over the legitimacy of callers at their door, and they should always produce their ID to try and put the customer at ease. I can't imagine how the elderly must feel!

Perhaps I have to stop being so paranoid...I mean what are the chances that our meter reader is some dodgy geezer who was scoping the place out for a burglary...

savemoney

I just had me meter read on Monday, I didnt think to check. I do my own meter readings every month and submit them online that's 2nd meter reading is last few months I had

Treadway1

gozaimasu wrote: »

I had a look for the van in the area which has been there on previous occasions...but this time I couldn't see it, so it got me a bit panicky.

I wouldnt worry about this, its probably just another hair brained scheme to try and reduce the comapnies carbon footprint. He probably had his push bike chained up down the road.

Seriously though, it does sound ok, but as other posters have siad, best to speak to your neighbours about the leaflets or give your supplier a call.

peter_percent

I have wondered for a long time how much of my bill goes to pay for meter reading on older properties where the meter is inside?, even though I provide readings online they still send readers why can't they phone to see if you will be in? as these days it is often a bloke in a car calling unannounced during working hours on just one house. Upon getting no answer he will probably leave a card, not for you to phone it in or give it online, but to tell you he will be back again tomorrow to do the same thing, you can put your own reading on it and place it somewhere that will let everyone know that your house is unoccupied, if you don't he then may call again three or four times, it must never dawn on them that someone might be on holiday or at work, then a few weeks later the whole process is repeated by another bloke for the other service , last year I counted a combined total of 17 wasted visits by readers, by law I think they have to be read once every 18/24 months .
This seems like a huge waste of energy, yet they have the cheek to suggest you help to save the planet by not having a real bill through the post or using a 100watt bulb somewhere you feel needs that type

SwanJon

Part of their licence is that meters are read once every two years by a company representative.
There have been a few threads on here suggesting that people falsify their reading to get a short term benefit - what would happen if they read less often.
There are over 20 million gas supplies and 25 million electricity ones. Phoning each of these to book an appointment every three months would be more expensive than visiting each house in a street in turn and returning to those missed ona few occasions.
By calling in advance you'd also give those unscrupulous characters who fiddle their meters time tio hide the fact.

lemontart

not all meter readers get company cars some use their own so looking for car does not help google accuread and give them a call to see if your property was down to have the meter read by one of their readers also contact your supplier and ask the same