'we need to change your electricity meter' scam? HELP!!

Legacy_user

The other day we received a call from someone claiming to be from our electricity supplier saying that they are coming to change our electricity meter, because it is 'old and the new rule is that it should be replaced'.

They knew our details (electricity meter serial code etc.) so it seemed legit and we booked them to come next week. However, upon reflection something seemed VERY odd.

They left a 'callback' number, which we googled. Nothing came up.

We called our electricity supplier's official line and they told us they had no idea what we were talking about, and that our meter did not need replacing. However, they suggested the called may be from a legitimate company, just trying to find work, or perhaps working for our local authority.

Joyful

Why not call them and ask the name of the company? You can then call the no after checking it out to verify. It's probably the meter operator that wants to put one of their own meters in after taking over from a previous meter operator.

omen666

I bet it is a shifty sales person froma rival power company

Parchester

This sounds very dodgy. When you say you phoned your electricity company, do you mean your current supplier or your local distribution company (presumably EdF, formerly London Electricity)? The former may not necessarily know, but the latter almost certainly should. The other thing to do is go and look at your actual meter. The plate on it should tell you who owns it and the year of manufacture. Depending on make and model, electricity meters have to be replaced and recertified at intervals between 15-25 years.

Andy_WSM

omen666 wrote: »

I bet it is a shifty sales person froma rival power company

If they're going to do a dodgy transaction, why bother calling? They have all the details...

Could well be the local distribution company wanting to change the meter for safety reasons, not your electricity supplier.

The age of your gas meter is irrelevant. Mine has never been changed - house is over 30 years old! The electricity meter has been changed several times.

spiro

You need to bear in mind that lots of meters are no longer maintianed by the local distribution company but by independant Meter Operators. As an example there are 18 distribution companies nationally but British Gas on use 3 Meter Operators to cover the whole country. If you phone you supplier they can tell you who your meter operator is and should be able to give you contact details. Phone the meter operator and see if they have you down for a meter exchange.

System

Parchester wrote: »

This sounds very dodgy. When you say you phoned your electricity company, do you mean your current supplier or your local distribution company (presumably EdF, formerly London Electricity)? The former may not necessarily know, but the latter almost certainly should. The other thing to do is go and look at your actual meter. The plate on it should tell you who owns it and the year of manufacture. Depending on make and model, electricity meters have to be replaced and recertified at intervals between 15-25 years.

We phoned our electricity supplier's official number. If they were from a local distribution surely they would have said so, instead of claiming to be working for our supplier?

Our meter is around 5-7 years old.

System

Joyful wrote: »

Why not call them and ask the name of the company? You can then call the no after checking it out to verify. It's probably the meter operator that wants to put one of their own meters in after taking over from a previous meter operator.

Tried calling them on the dodgy number they gave us ... it just rings and rings ... no answer

zzzLazyDaisy

Your supplier doesn't have anything to do with changing the meter, it is whoever is responsible for maintaining the meter, which will be an entirely different company.

I am with Scottish Power, but just yesterday I had someone claiming to be from EON turn up on my doorstep unannounced to change my meter. My meter is inside the house and no way was I going to let a stranger just walk into the house, so I have made an appointment for a day when someone can be at home with me. Today I get a letter from E-on just saying that someone will be in the area some time over the next few weeks to change the meter.

But I phoned scottish power and they confirmed that E-on maintain the meters. They don't notify SP when they are going to change a meter, so SP know nothing about it until afterwards, when they get the meter readings from E-on.

It is a complete shambles.

I would phone your supplier and ask for the name and number of the company that maintains the meters, and then phone that company and find out what the score is.

DrScotsman

candyflossing wrote: »

Tried calling them on the dodgy number they gave us ... it just rings and rings ... no answer

You say you googled this number, did you try WhoCallsMe?

cybergibbons

candyflossing wrote: »

Tried calling them on the dodgy number they gave us ... it just rings and rings ... no answer

It is Saturday today.