EDF electric meter reader man

kirei

A man just came to the door, he said I'm from EDF and I've come to read your meter, it's under the stairs, isn't it.
I said wow, it's a bit early, it was 7.30am (I'm on mat leave so not working). He said he starts at 7.30 because people are at work. I just said oh I'm not working at the moment and he said I'll come later next time. I have to come every 3 months.
I did ask for ID but didn't ring and check it or anything, as I was half asleep. it didn't say EDF, it said something else and his name and photo, it looked well used, not like just printed off or something(!!)
So I let him read it.
He had a computer thing but used a pen and paper for the reading.
He saw my husband (also in dressing gown as he is unemployed) and said hi to him. He was really pleasant etc.
Thing is:

Does that sound like a genuine meter reader? Like, not a conman or burglar or something?

I worry because I've got a baby in the house now and I'm worried I've let some dodgy guy come in now and see that I haven't got an alarm (although he'd also have seen that we're home in the day time).

EDF have rarely been round to read it before because they always used to miss us (we both worked full time until Xmas). Nobody has been round to read it since Xmas though. Does all the above sound proper and genuine? I'm getting stressed out with worry and hubby is saying I'm being stupid. I have got OCD so I tend to worry a lot.

Thanks and sorry for the long post xxx

Cardew

Well you should get a bill with that reading soon.

Meter readers are not employed by EDF - they sub-contract.

Ring EDF in a couple of days and ask if they have had a meter reading for your account.

torbrex

Genuine meter readers are forbidden by company rules to start before 8am unless at customers own request.
They will also not be from EDF but rather a meter reading company such as G4S and should introduce himself as such and also be wearing the uniform of the company he works for as well as an ID badge.

You should call your supplier straight away and inform them what has happened as if there is an imposter in the area they will want to know about it.

kirei

I think it was G4S! I have been on hold to EDF for half an hour - useless! And now I have to get ready to go out but I googled it and apparently meter readers can start at 7am in the summer months(??)
Will keep trying to get through later and will also check to see if they had a meter reading. He had one of those computer things but used a pen and paper

HappyMJ

kirei wrote: »

A man just came to the door, he said I'm from EDF and I've come to read your meter, it's under the stairs, isn't it.
I said wow, it's a bit early, it was 7.30am (I'm on mat leave so not working). He said he starts at 7.30 because people are at work. I just said oh I'm not working at the moment and he said I'll come later next time. I have to come every 3 months.
I did ask for ID but didn't ring and check it or anything, as I was half asleep. it didn't say EDF, it said something else and his name and photo, it looked well used, not like just printed off or something(!!)
So I let him read it.
He had a computer thing but used a pen and paper for the reading.
He saw my husband (also in dressing gown as he is unemployed) and said hi to him. He was really pleasant etc.
Thing is:

Does that sound like a genuine meter reader? Like, not a conman or burglar or something?

I worry because I've got a baby in the house now and I'm worried I've let some dodgy guy come in now and see that I haven't got an alarm (although he'd also have seen that we're home in the day time).

EDF have rarely been round to read it before because they always used to miss us (we both worked full time until Xmas). Nobody has been round to read it since Xmas though. Does all the above sound proper and genuine? I'm getting stressed out with worry and hubby is saying I'm being stupid. I have got OCD so I tend to worry a lot.

Thanks and sorry for the long post xxx

The solution to this is to not answer the door. A genuine visitor will call you on the mobile/landline and ask where you are or a meter reader will leave a card.

I never answer my door to anyone unless I am expecting them so next time just roll over and go back to sleep for another half hour.

torbrex

kirei wrote: »

I think it was G4S! I have been on hold to EDF for half an hour - useless! And now I have to get ready to go out but I googled it and apparently meter readers can start at 7am in the summer months(??)
Will keep trying to get through later and will also check to see if they had a meter reading. He had one of those computer things but used a pen and paper

I worked for G4s and Accuread before them for over 5 years and that is the first I have heard of them being allowed to start earlier in the summer months.

The reason he was using pen/paper is so that his HHC would not record the time of his visit and thus show up that he was working early, one of mu workmates was sacked for doing that very thing.

kirei

Ooh that's interesting! But why would they want to start earlier? To finish early?
So when do you think he will put it on the HHC so I can check my account online?

torbrex

kirei wrote: »

Ooh that's interesting! But why would they want to start earlier? To finish early?
So when do you think he will put it on the HHC so I can check my account online?

Finishing early is part of it but he was probably trying to acheive the bonus target, 800 reads a week are required before the bonus kicks in and with EDF they get 1.5 credits for each read.

He will enter the details sometime through the day and then download when he gets home at night, EDF will get the info about 24 hours later.

kirei

Ah thanks! See, I said to him this is a bit early isn't it. And he said they make them start at 7.30 to catch people before going to work!

torbrex

kirei wrote: »

Ah thanks! See, I said to him this is a bit early isn't it. And he said they make them start at 7.30 to catch people before going to work!

That's another lie, the new starts these day have contracts that make their hours noon till 8PM so that they catch people as they come in from work and the old hands should know better.

kirei

Ooh right... but do you think from what I said, he had an HHC etc (and I think it was G4S on his card) that he probably was legit? He seemed to read on his HHC where my meter was and he went straight there, read it and left? I'll look tomorrow on my EDF aco!!!!