Fake Energy Advisors?

NoIdeaWhattoPut

I don't know where to post this but I keep getting phone calls from people claiming to be my local energy advisor. When I tell them I'm on the telephone preference service they hang up so I guess it is a scam.

The numbers are:

020-3424 9335
020-4600 0038
020-3424 9207
020-4601 9517
020-4601 9545

Every time I block a number they call on a new number.

Has anyone else suffered this?

I tried reporting it to the telephone preference service and action fraud without success.

Everyone now thinks I have a mobile phone and tells me how to report on iOS or Android.

QrizB

There was another thread recently:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6654315/local-energy-advisor-spam-calls

That thread suggests that they're not real people, but a recording or simulation.

They don't seem to respect TPS so, short of screening all your calls and only answering numbers you recognise, I don't see an easy solution.

TadleyBaggie

Used to get loads of these, pretty much never made it past my Truecall device. Problem was solved completely when I upgraded to full fibre that didn't offer a landline option.

SnowTiger

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6654618/fake-energy-advisors

Lots of scammers. Yes, they will often change their number.

I check unknown numbers with WOTCHA.

And I have their app installed on my Android phone.

Comments there suggest the scanning started 2 days ago.

I don't think I can post details about how to contact Wotcha here.

You can search for it one the Internet.

chrisw

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81877666#Comment_81877666

Yeah, I commented on the other thread. It’s a data gathering exercise to generate leads for tradespeople who install insulation. So not a scam as such but extremely annoying nonetheless.

WiserMiser

Yes, I get numerous pre-recorded robocalls on my landline claiming to be from 'Emma Kirby, the energy advisor for your area' asking me to confirm her understanding that I'm the home owner. Presumably it's thought that an RP female voice will be trusted more than a bloke stumbling through a script speaking broken English with a Far Eastern accent.

The answer seems to be listened to by an agent (or AI) because the response is slow and also pre-recorded.

If you say you're interested then the installer can say they have permission to call you, it's just an attempt to evade the TPS rules by getting an intermediary to do the dirty work. That tells you that, at best, the company is only semi-legitimate and shouldn't be used.

Usually I say nothing because anything else confirms it's not an unallocated number, data or fax line, that I understand English and respond as directed. That's likely to result in lots more nuisance calls.

However, as these calls still keep coming I'll probably say I live in a tent or a cave. Or if I have time I might waste their time by seeming keen and really interested, so I'll be transferred to an agent. I'll drag it out as long as possible then I'll say that my taxi has just arrived so I'll dial 1471 and call them back later.

That'll really wind them up no end because the agent will probably know the number is spoofed and can't be called, and in any case they won't get their reward for ensnaring another punter.

It's high time that Ofcom told telcos to offer the 1477 service that stores the real calling number so that it can be referred to the relevant authorities. It just needs to be enhanced so that you can select from a few automated push button options ranging from spam, abusing, scams up to death threats. The online procedure is far too long and complicated, and excludes those who are offline (and they're probably the most vulnerable).

But dozy Ofcom is far too close to the telcos, so they'd never think of anything so useful.

born_again

Do not recognise the number or expect a call. DO NOT ANSWER.

These people now know due to you answering that they have a valid number. So will keep ringing & sell it on to others as a number to call.

WiserMiser

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81879069#Comment_81879069

Not a sensible policy. You're likely to miss calls from the doctor, the hospital, old friends who've cancelled their landline, someone who's found the mobile you lost...

born_again

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81879163#Comment_81879163

Then they leave a message 🤷‍♀️

WiserMiser

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81879560#Comment_81879560

Fine if it works for you and your callers, but it may not always be the case for everyone.

In particular, doctors' surgeries and hospitals may not leave a message. In my experience they invariably withhold the number on the basis of medical confidentiality and/or to ensure that callbacks are routed to the main number rather than interrupting mobiles of doctors and staff who have patients with them.

Therefore they won't say who they are until the recipient has confirmed that they are right person. If they get voicemail they won't leave a number or say 'Please call the Xxxxx Medical Practice', 'Xxxxx Hospital Outpatients' etc.

It's a strangely inconsistent policy when letters have a big NHS logo on the envelope and perhaps a special postage stamp so that there's a chance of it being delivered within a month.

born_again

ML advice

Martin has previously explained that answering a spam call signals to the caller that the number is active.

I get it with unrecognised (judgement required) but when they give a number, that is not recognised. They are the ignore.