Dodgy British Gas reader.

Mcmurphy1975

Hi all , Just had somebody call to my property saying they where from British Gas and have called to read the electric meter , I looked at the I.D and it seemed fine.

Anyway I'm on a top up meter so I was wondering why they would call out as they should get a reading from my key. After speaking to the British Gas person on the phone they said they use G4S utilities to read there meters and they spoke to G4S and said that there was no meter reading booked.

I have left a note with British Gas on there system stating that if any other company call that they should not switched me over as I have not authorised this.

Is there any way anybody could tell me how I could find the person that came to my property ?

chanz4

crystal ball if bg have nothing

cootuk

I assume you followed them to show them the meter and didn't just let them wander round?
Maybe they are checking to see whether the meter has been bypassed if you are on a payment card?

Fire_Fox

You looked at ID and it was for which company?

Joyful

To save this problem in the future you can ask British Gas to add a password to your account. Then if anyone from or working on their behalf calls they can confirm the password to you.

spiro

Just because you have a PPM, the supplier still has to physically read the meter every 2 years. The ID would have a company name and number on it, did you call that?

Wywth

^^^^^

What spiro says, .... but I wouldn't phone any number on a persons ID card. Instead, call the supplier on a number you know to be correct to verify the identity of any caller.

If still in doubt, call 999 and ask for immmediate police attendance.

Mcmurphy1975

How did they know I was with British Gas that's the point ,he had a British Gas ID badge ( with looked authentic ) on him and he said 'you can ring it through to verify it was all above board, as my meter hadn't been read for a while it didn't seem any point ringing it through.

The only thing British Gas told me is that they always send a letter before somebody comes around to read the meter, which I never had with scottish power.

[Deleted User]

Its no good leaving " a note " on their system, that wont work, you ve got to speak to customer services . They can give information easily and quickly as to exactly who turned up at your property.
Preymayment meters are checked 6 monthly if possible. We check the meters for "health and safety reasons ". 9 out of 10 meters I find bypassed are Prepay meters, you may be honest mate but a rising figure are not. 3 more cannabis farms, and two gipsy sites in my area all caught growing cannabis on bypassed electricity in the last few weeks
The call centre you spoke to may have got it wrong, we never send out letters in advance to say we are going to check your meter.
I would like to add to Spiro I have made a number of complaints to OFGEM last year to say that a large number of prepay meters had been omitted the two year inspections. many had never been looked at in 6 or 7 years since they were updated from card to key. In the last couple of months we are finally starting to do the legal 2 year " must reads " on prepays

Wail

Wywth wrote: »

^^^^^

What spiro says, .... but I wouldn't phone any number on a persons ID card. Instead, call the supplier on a number you know to be correct to verify the identity of any caller.

If still in doubt, call 999 and ask for immediate police attendance.

Certainly agree with the above.

No letter will be sent before a meter reading. The logistics would be massive.

Fire_Fox

Mcmurphy1975 wrote: »

How did they know I was with British Gas that's the point ,he had a British Gas ID badge ( with looked authentic ) on him and he said 'you can ring it through to verify it was all above board, as my meter hadn't been read for a while it didn't seem any point ringing it through.

The only thing British Gas told me is that they always send a letter before somebody comes around to read the meter, which I never had with scottish power.

Guesswork and fishing? Did any of your neighbours get a similar visit?

Loads of people in my block are still with NPower because they were the first company we were all registered with nine years ago, and people have not bothered switching.