Energy Scam

Keith.A

Just had a very personable young man knock on my Door ( NP13 area )
He informed me that I was being overcharged for gas and electricity, as was everyone else in the area, I said "oh that's odd, I've just moved suppliers" He said he can get me hundreds of pounds back from previous supplier.

He then flashed a very official looking ID Card with "MONEYEXPERT" written across the middle. And started to infer he was associated with moneysaving expert.

I told him to go away and shut door, but just a warning for others in the area

Talldave

I've found the best way to close down unsolicited conversations with people who claim they can save you money on your energy bills is to ask them what their unit rates and standing charges are. I've never received an answer containing that information so the discussion then ends, since I don't buy things from anyone who cannot tell me how much something costs!

Using MSE as a cover is hopefully a scam most won't fall for, although the elderly are most at risk from such sales people.

[Deleted User]

Talldave wrote: »

I've found the best way to close down unsolicited conversations with people who claim they can save you money on your energy bills is to ask them what their unit rates and standing charges are. I've never received an answer containing that information so the discussion then ends, since I don't buy things from anyone who cannot tell me how much something costs!

Using MSE as a cover is hopefully a scam most won't fall for, although the elderly are most at risk from such sales people.

I quite enjoy a natter with an energy salesman. The only door to door salesman allowed, according to this chappie who knocked on my door last week , are Shell , the old First Utility.
I don`t know if this true because I thought all door to door energy sales have been stopped.
. This one could quote the Shell unit rates and dsc s but did nt have a clue about other suppliers rates other than BG and Npower who most of the OAPS are with in my area .

MABLE

Talldave wrote: »

I've found the best way to close down unsolicited conversations with people who claim they can save you money on your energy bills is to ask them what their unit rates and standing charges are. I've never received an answer containing that information so the discussion then ends, since I don't buy things from anyone who cannot tell me how much something costs!

Using MSE as a cover is hopefully a scam most won't fall for, although the elderly are most at risk from such sales people.

Too true we elderly are very vulnerable.:rotfl:

Talldave

MABLE wrote: »

Too true we elderly are very vulnerable.:rotfl:

My comment wasn't meant negatively. From my own personal experience of elderly relatives, the older someone is, the more likely they are to exhibit that awkward British-ness of not being able to say "No". Ask anyone in sales - the "nice man" or "nice lady" at the door or on the 'phone would much rather be talking to an elderly person.

Kitchen_Sink

Keith.A wrote: »

Just had a very personable young man knock on my Door ( NP13 area )
He informed me that I was being overcharged for gas and electricity, as was everyone else in the area, I said "oh that's odd, I've just moved suppliers" He said he can get me hundreds of pounds back from previous supplier.

He then flashed a very official looking ID Card with "MONEYEXPERT" written across the middle. And started to infer he was associated with moneysaving expert.

I told him to go away and shut door, but just a warning for others in the area

Welcome to MSE :hello:

Whilst you are not the first person to confuse this entirely different company with MSE,
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2016/04/warning-money-expert-cold-callers-are-nothing-to-do-with-moneysavingexpertcom/
they are NOT a scam.

Moneyexpert is a entirely different company who specalise in comparison sites.
Their energy comparison site, also going by the name of simplyswitch, is actually ofgem accredited.

MSE used to actually recommend it as a comparison site for energy (but was removed when (a) MSE started their own service and (b) simplyswitch stopped giving exclsusive cashback to MSE customers)

It's good to be alert to possible scams, but I fear this was a false positive alarm.
Any suggestion of money back from your old supplier would simply be the refund of any accrued credit
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/reclaim-energy-bill-refunds/

As the archived MSE article indicates, it should be automatic nowadays ... and in any event it's not something MoneyExpert get involved with.

tempus_fugit

Keith.A wrote: »

Just had a very personable young man knock on my Door ( NP13 area )
He informed me that I was being overcharged for gas and electricity, as was everyone else in the area, I said "oh that's odd, I've just moved suppliers" He said he can get me hundreds of pounds back from previous supplier.

He then flashed a very official looking ID Card with "MONEYEXPERT" written across the middle. And started to infer he was associated with moneysaving expert.

I told him to go away and shut door, but just a warning for others in the area

In what way did it look "official"? I am struck by people saying that things "looked official" or "sounded genuine". What was it about it that made it "look official"? Genuine question.

Talldave

Kitchen_Sink wrote: »

Welcome to MSE :hello:

Whilst you are not the first person to confuse this entirely different company with MSE,
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2016/04/warning-money-expert-cold-callers-are-nothing-to-do-with-moneysavingexpertcom/
they are NOT a scam.

Moneyexpert is a entirely different company who specalise in comparison sites.
Their energy comparison site, also going by the name of simplyswitch, is actually ofgem accredited.

MSE used to actually recommend it as a comparison site for energy (but was removed when (a) MSE started their own service and (b) simplyswitch stopped giving exclsusive cashback to MSE customers)

It's good to be alert to possible scams, but I fear this was a false positive alarm.
Any suggestion of money back from your old supplier would simply be the refund of any accrued credit
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/reclaim-energy-bill-refunds/

As the archived MSE article indicates, it should be automatic nowadays ... and in any event it's not something MoneyExpert get involved with.

There's a subtle difference between a refund of accrued credit and a random claim to be able to get hundreds of pounds back - one's a fact and the other is sales bullsh1t. How would a doorstep sales agent know that the householder was hundreds of pounds in credit?

victor2

tempus_fugit wrote: »

In what way did it look "official"? I am struck by people saying that things "looked official" or "sounded genuine". What was it about it that made it "look official"? Genuine question.

Easy these days. Print an "ID" with a few logos lifted off websites on a colour printer, laminate it and there you go. Official.