Who is allowed to access your meters?

ian-d

I had an EON guy appear at my door today asking to get around the back to check the meters. I said that they were checked days before and that I don't actually use and never had used EON. He said that he was only there to check the serial numbers because EON need to match up numbers on their system.

I refused and sent him on his way; he seemed quite put out by this, the weather possibly didn't help.

Is there any legitimate reason for his wanting to see them; he certainly wasn't there to take meter readings, he said serial numbers hmmm

Lovelyjoolz

Sounds weird to me. I'd definitely have refused him access.

Did he have EON ID?

Alisha2008

If you don't use EON, no reason for you to let him see them? Having said this, my meters are outside and open, anyone passing by can go and take a look...

zax47

Where do you live? EON/Central Networks are the DNO responsible for all the supply infrastructure (including your meter!) within the East and West Midlands region, regardless of who you purchase your electricity from.

http://www.nationalgrid.com/uk/Electricity/AboutElectricity/DistributionCompanies/

Giddytimes

If you live in EON's area they will read your meters regardless of which company you pay for your supply, so he may have legitimately needed to check the serial numbers.

It may well have been that the guy a few days ago made a mistake and entered readings which looked incorrect, so they needed to check which reading was for which meter.

ian-d

I live in south Cheshire which comes under North West rather than Midlands, and I've had previous meter readers come but never in EON overalls. The meter readings previously taken all seem fine when checked with my provider, as I generally do them myself at the same time because of the hassle of unlocking etc.

Still seems a bit weird to me. Just wanted to make sure it isn't illegal to refuse them entry.

Swipe

ian-d wrote: »

Still seems a bit weird to me. Just wanted to make sure it isn't illegal to refuse them entry.

I wouldn't worry about it. If it's that important they'll be in touch again, most likely by post.

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Hi Ian

Although we don't supply the property, we may still be responsible for reading and maintaining the meter. This depends on the area and our readers/engineers are certainly active in the North West.

All our representatives wear E.ON branded uniforms and carry ID badges which display an ID hotline number. Customers can call this number to check the caller is authentic.

Meter readers also have a unique individual number only known to them and the staff back in the office. Customers can ask for this and check this too.

Did the person who called offer any form of identification or were they wearing our uniform? If not, you were very wise to refuse access.

Even if he was from us, there was no need to be rude regardless of the weather and, if they were from E.ON, I'm sorry they took this tone.

Hope this is of some help Ian. Give me a shout if you need any more info as will be happy to help.

Malc

chanz4

Have you been switching your meters (ilegally or tampering), or new devlopment / flats? if so your meters may be crossed.

ian-d

Thanks for the reply EON, the guy was wearing the full EON kit and did have an id badge, though he made no effort to show it and just expected me to open up my property for him to check the serial numbers. It was more a case of him not being willing to explain the reason why, other than to say he needed to check against their customer records, of which I'm not and have never been an EON customer, and at first was reluctant to say which meter he was there to read. All a bit dodgy to me so if EON need to check the serials, they'll have to ask my permission, not have someone come to the door.

chanz4 - No, I've not been illegally switching meters (what a stupid suggestion) and have had the same meters and same service provider since the house was build 5 years ago!

davehsug

If you're in the Congleton area Ian, that was a part of the old MEB, so Eon (Western Power now), would be the distributor for the area.