SSE Meter Change Letter - Possible Scam?

lucifersangel87

Hi,
Just had a letter through from SSE (even though i'm with EDF) and i'm not sure I like the look of it - It seems very much out of the blue, and not very convincing.



The thing is this: The paper that the letter is on is very poor quality - cheap inkjet paper from the supermarket style. The graphics on it are rough and badly printed. It is addressed to "The Occupier", and there is nothing printed on the back of the sheet (there's usually some advertising bumf or something on the back at least). Plus, the link at the bottom is for https://www.sse.com not southern-electric.com, which raises more suspicion.

Has anybody got any experience with these matters? I can't seem to find the phone number on any website for Southern Electric, and i'm loathe to call it in case it's a scam.

Thanks in advance.

Martin

katylou6180

Hey Lucifersangel,

SSE would be your distribution network operator (dno, Scottish and southern energy,the people that own and maintain the cables that supply your house, they are deffo your dno) not your energy supplier (the people that you pay your bills to). Dno's don't generally store your details hence it's come to "The Occupier".
I work for another dno and we've recently had to send some similar letters out as there's been a small problem with certain meters and they need to be changed.
If you need to query the legitimacy of the letter, you can always contact the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (OFGEM) as they should know all about it.
Hope this helps a bit

daveyjp

Considering SSE isn't Southern Electric it should come as no surprise that they have different web addresses.

MeterMan

The telephone number is for southern electric metering.

Its unlikely to be a scam. If a guy turns up and changes your meter without killing himself, Its safe to say its not going to be scam.

lucifersangel87

Thanks for the advice all.
I'll give them a call and discuss it further with them.

Bubblebath

Don't you think it might be better giving your own supplier a call, rather than calling someone you think is sacmming you?

Especially if the question is to establish whether or not this is a scam :cool:

In the meantime, I'm not sure where you've been looking, but the contact phone numbers for southern electric can be found here:
http://www.southern-electric.co.uk/ContactUs/OurPhoneNumbers/

Though it beats me why you want to call them.

misterbarlow

that is a genuine letter... you may be with EDF, but SSE might be the MOP for your area and maintain the meter... as such they will change the meter on behalf of EDF when required...

SparkyT1985

Hi all.
We got a letter from SSE regarding changing our electricity meter. It was sent by 2nd class 'signed for' mail.
A few things got my attention about the authenticity of the letter:
1) It was sent to my wife and not me, even though I'm the primary account holder.
2) The 0800 number doesn't appear on the SSE website.
3) Various reports of possible scam on this and various other forums.
4) It didn't look right in general.

I did have a quick look at our meter and it was installed in 2004, so I thought "ok, maybe it is due for renewal".

I then phoned SSE on their generic enquiries number 0800 980 8476 and followed the options for all other enquiries. I spoke to the chap at the call centre and explained what was up and HE contacted the metering department to confirm it all. Yes, our letter was sent by SSE in this case and the appointment was booker through the customer service line.

Basically, if you're in any doubt as to the authenticity of that letter, call the company's normal customer service line which can be obtained through their websites.

TobyJugg2

This isnt anything to do with installing smart meters is it?

I ask because one of the posts states the meter was installed in 2004 - my meter was installed more than 25 years ago.