Do Ofgem knock on people's doors?

Solomon_Broad

I've just had someone come to my door claiming to be from Ofgem, wanting to have a look at "the back of my gas and electricity bills". I sent him off, but I'm concerned now that this is some kind of scam. He claimed to be able to get my bills lowered because I was on the wrong tariff or something. Apparently, lots of people in my post code area have been making complaints. It all just seemed a bit suspect to me.

Are Ofgem in the habit of sending people round to check up on people's bills?

spiro

I have never heard of such a think. Ask for their ID and phone the number on it to check who they are. If they fail to show ID then they are bogus. Might be worth a call to Trading Standards as this could well be door step misselling.

Can't see what interest OFGEM would have in reducing your bill.

Solomon_Broad

I've emailed Ofgem to see what they say. He's gone now, thankfully.

Yellowcard

This sounds dodgy.

FB13

I don't work for Ofgem, but I can tell you this isn't standard practice for other regulators. Would most Ofgem employees even have ID cards to show? Do other civil servants?

He could have been from a consultant hired by Ofgem to do some sort of study and claimed to be from Ofgem thinking it would be easier than saying his actual employer.

backfoot

FB13 wrote: »

I don't work for Ofgem, but I can tell you this isn't standard practice for other regulators. Would most Ofgem employees even have ID cards to show? Do other civil servants?

He could have been from a consultant hired by Ofgem to do some sort of study and claimed to be from Ofgem thinking it would be easier than saying his actual employer.

:rotfl:Ofgem. Wonderful imagination.

Send them round to MSE Member Direct Debacle . He'll give them his bills. Probably in a place that the sun don't shine.

DirectDebacle

backfoot wrote: »

:rotfl:Ofgem. Wonderful imagination.

Send them round to MSE Member Direct Debacle . He'll give them his bills. Probably in a place that the sun don't shine.

This sort of thing is concerning though. The guy was likely a doorstepper for one of the energy companies but might not have been. Could easily have been a walk in thief targeting areas he knew doorsteppers were working.

The OP was alert and sent them packing but someone more vulnerable could now be minus some property.

Ofgem are investigating, once again, more mis-selling allegations. It is almost impossible to regulate so Ofgem should just ban it. At least that may remove one guise the walk in thief can masquerade under.

Plushchris

If you get a reply from Ofgem saying its not them phone the police, most forces have a section dealing with bogus callers..

I'd put money on it being a doorstepper from a supplier as opposed to an actual crook (although I personally think they are one and the same) and I'd probably get good odds on SSE or Npower..

backfoot

Plushchris wrote: »

If you get a reply from Ofgem saying its not them phone the police, most forces have a section dealing with bogus callers..

I'd put money on it being a doorstepper from a supplier as opposed to an actual crook (although I personally think they are one and the same) and I'd probably get good odds on SSE or Npower..

In all fairness, it's not right to lump NPower in with crooks.

The latter don't have such a bad name.;)

lemontart

defo not right there is no reason for ofgem to do this at all.

Ignite

If this was OFGEM, firstly they would have no reason to see your bills up front. Second, they would show you their badge and hand you an information sheet explaining why they were there and who to contact to verify that they were genuine. Thirdly, except for the Ofgem bit, it is almost word for word the script of the underhanded door to door idiots who have started Ofgem looking into the industry.