What is this about?

giantmutantbroccoli

A couple of young guys turned up at my door this afternoon, one armed with a clipboard and the other talking on a mobile phone. They wanted to assess my ellegibility for a government grant for insulation. When I said I rented the guy with the clipboard seemed a bit lost, then asked me for my landlord's address. I honestly couldn't remember, so gave them vague directions. He wanted less-vague directions, so asked me a couple of times if I really couldn't remember, and could I maybe look it up? Of course I was far too busy to do that! Well okay I was off sick this afternoon but no way was I going to go rummaging for the address of someone who, I'm 99% positive, doesn't want to talk to these guys.
They seemed pretty normal for door-to-door salesfolk but they made me feel uneasy. I got the impression they were expecting to be invited in.
I was just wondering if anyone knows anything about this? Is it a real scheme or a scam of some sort? And since when does the government advertise door to door? Or is it something an insulation company is doing to drum up business, and if so why didn't they say who they were or where they were from? I feel a bit daft for not asking directly.

Snakeeyes21

I doubt its a scam its probably some local traders or any number of energy suppliers (npower was around here recently) drumming up business, if your eligible for the grant they will get paid to install it.

Its a proper government funded scheme called warm front, heres some info about it
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/On_a_low_income/DG_10018661

Butterfly_Brain

I don't know, they sound like scammers to me. I would never entertain door to door salesmen anyway it is too risky.
The council here has strict no call zones and do crack down - if you are not sure phone your local council and report them.
If you want a grant go to the Direct Gov website first.
Never ever allow anyone into your home unless a previous appointment has been made - always ask for identification - and never sign for anything on the doorstep.!!!!!!!!!!!!!

maninthestreet

Snakeeyes21 is probably right - they were salesman whose intent was to sell you something, under the guise of assessing you for the eligibility of some sort of 'Government Grant'.

timberflake

I know there are government grants available for this type of thing, but it would be easy for someone to use this to try and scam people. The only way to be safe is to not entertain the idea of buying anything from someone who knock's on your door unless you've arranged for them to come over.