Alternative Metering Solutions

buggalugs

Hi, I'm not sure if this is the right place to put this, please move if in wrong place with my apologies.
This morning we received a letter from Alternative Metering Solutions. It stated that ' .. the gas meter at your property is now due to be exchanged...' and that this needs to be done periodically to make sure they are working properly...... Now, my question is this... Is this a formal notice or a scam to get you to change to their meter? because it feels like a scam. If my meter DID need replacing surely my Gas supplier would tell me wouldn't they?
Please help

chanz4

Third party contracts act on behalf of your suppliers meter asset manager, if usure ask the supplier to speak to the mam. Although if its an old imperial meter it will be genuine

macman

Your gas supplier does not necessarily own the meter, so nothing to do with them.
How would a change of meter be a scam?

anotherbaldrick

The contact should have been through you energy supplier . Only talk through them.

buggalugs

Chanz thanks for the advice, I have learned something I didn't know.
Macman I felt it was a scam because they ask us to confirm and give details of certain things, none of them to do with our supply or supplier etc. They want an appointment when we will both be in etc.
Another Baldrick, thank you we are going to contact our supplier see if they know anything of this.

chanz4

both be in sounds a little strange

[Deleted User]

I would nt be that concerned about the exchange because you will be having to go through the whole shebang again when this new metric meter you are getting will be exchanged not far down the line for a "smart meter". The new meter could be a smart meter though, they dont seem to say what type it is in the letters. watch out for them not turning up on the allotted day, and be ready to claim compensation

Terrylw1

Here is the link to their site, they seem legit.

http://www.altms.co.uk/

From this it seems your supplier is fitting a Smart meter.

If ever unsure, ask your supplier. The supplier in the gas sector can check if your meter is due for recertification. They will also know if they have them as a contracted agent,

If they have them contracted, they can deal direct with you regarding recertiication however they do not need any details about you, the supplier has already given them what they need.

Are they asking technical questions or personal information questions? If the former, it be to prevent you granting them access to find they can't do it, needing to rebook and waste your time further.

Recertification is for your safety and accuracy of meter recording. Its the appointed agents "asset" so they obtain a rights of entry warrant if they wish to.

Terrylw1

They are registered on Ofgem's OAMI register.

http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Markets/sm/metering/crf/metrology/am/oami/Pages/oami.aspx

The above is still a question mark if asking for personal data since meter operators don't need it.

buggalugs

Thank You so much Terrylw1, that puts my mind at rest completely ( and stops me feeling like an idiot for asking too ) Thanks for your replies everyone, I will let you know how we get on.

buggalugs

Just an update to say we have had the meter changed, all was fine, no more questions were asked, even though we never answered the original ones lol. Yes it is a smart meter. Thank you all for putting my mind at rest beforehand and listening to my concerns.