Are we in danger of fraud?

mariat

I recently applied to a few companies which are working with utility companies to install energy saving measures under the ECO4 scheme. I was contacted by an agent of one installer but from the outset something didn't sit quite right. But I pushed any doubts aside and sent the info required to proceed the application, 2 utility bills (PDF) my DOB and full name, and a benefit award letter (JPEG). Anyhow, the rep called me yesterday (Saturday) to make an appointment for him to come and survey my property on  Sunday. After the call finished I had serious misgivings and text him to say we didn't want to proceed with the application and to cancel the appointment. He replied asking why the change of mind, which I ignored. Now I'm worried that the information I supplied could be used to steal my identity or commit fraud. Are my concerns warranted? If so, is there anything I can do?

la531983

Where has this fear come from, there must be more to it than the above. Who is the company?

You think they are going to commit identity fraud on you out of spite for not proceeding?

mariat

Certain things didn't add up, which I won't detail, but the companies website was vague about what exactly they do, the director had been involved with other dissolved companies, their rep didn't seem qualified to survey my property and wanted to do it on a Sunday, which seemed odd. No, I won't name the company. Of course I don't think they'd scam me out of spite for not proceeding, but I think their add may have been phishing, using the guise of the ECO4 scheme to get info, or involved in some other dodgy practice. 

PHK

This sounds very bizarre indeed. No-one is going to be able to advise you without being able to look into the company. 

[Deleted User]

Agree, @mariat unless you give the fullest details nobody can give you accurate information, there is nothing to be gained from giving vague information as it just sets the answers off in the wrong direction and drip-feeding bits here and there.

CKhalvashi

mariat said:

Certain things didn't add up, which I won't detail, but the companies website was vague about what exactly they do, the director had been involved with other dissolved companies, their rep didn't seem qualified to survey my property and wanted to do it on a Sunday, which seemed odd. No, I won't name the company. Of course I don't think they'd scam me out of spite for not proceeding, but I think their add may have been phishing, using the guise of the ECO4 scheme to get info, or involved in some other dodgy practice. 

Possibly there is nothing wrong here other than checks have been made that you meet the eligibility conditions so far and now they need to understand the best way to do things for you.

We cannot even look into this on the details given as there are absolutely no pointers at all to suggest either way what is the right answer.

eddddy

mariat said:

I was contacted by an agent of one installer but from the outset something didn't sit quite right. 

The 'agent' could well be somebody who replied to an advert saying something like...

"Earn up to £50,000 a year working from home (commission only) - all you need is a car and a mobile phone"

... and anyone who applies is taken on.

So the company's strategy is to send out dozens of poorly trained, commission only, 'agents' on dozens of appointments - and hope that 1 or 2 visits turn into eventual orders.

The 'agent' might be trying to sell replacement kitchen worktops on some days, home insulation on other days, and doing some delivery driving on other days.

It's not really the 'agent's' fault - but they probably lack professionalism, customer facing skills, product knowledge etc, because they've not received much training. So the whole customer experience can feel strange and awkward.