Door Knocker potential scams

BiliousScoggins

I have just had someone knock on my door claiming that they work with "all 22 providers," but then only mentioned Scottish Power and Octopus.

I am in an odd position as I got transferred from robin hood to British gas when the former went bankrupt and a special tariff that was set up that is cheaper than anything else available as long as I have been on it and will be until August when it ends.

I also used a tiny amount of fuel due to living on my own and not being at home much due to work, hence robin hood cos they offered a low standing charge, and having a seeming immunity to cold unless it's proper freezing.

So they couldn't get me to swap to anything they were promoting, but I mentioned I didn't know whether it would be better to wait out my cheap tariff or change to another longer fixed now charge and then they asked for my phone number so I could be sent a text to let me know when I should change to the companies they seemed to be promoting.

I got a text that then wanted me to sign up to a thing that I hadn't been informed of. It said I could send STOP to a short code number and when I did, I was told I couldn't do that because it costs extra money my SIM only mobile tariff don't cover

I blocked them as spam as I don't trust em.

They are called Interactive and the short code number is 34664

I don't like it.

Any knowledge?

born_again

Best not to engage with t hem at all. Just say not interested & shut door.

TroubledTarts

Always good to set zero spend on mobile phone contracts, that way you can never be charged if scammed.

No one ever gets any business from knocking on our door and certainly no information.

Oscarmax

I always say NO full stop even before they open their mouths.

Peter999_2

I find it easiest to say I rent and the gas/electric bills are included. They immediately leave.

WiserMiser

Prevention is better than Cure. Get a No Cold Callers sticker from your local Plod, or print this one.

https://www.friendsagainstscams.org.uk/mint-project/uploads/238642394.pdf

Ildhund

Sorry to interrupt, but @TroubledTarts wrote:

Always good to set zero spend on mobile phone contracts, that way you can never be charged if scammed.

I have two mobile phone contracts (only one mobile phone, though), but I'm afraid I just don't understand what you're advising here. Since several forumites have thanked you for the suggestion, I'd really like to know what it means.

MeteredOut

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81973054#Comment_81973054

On many mobile accounts you can set spend limits for any charges outside your monthly contract fee. The default figure might be, say, £50, which means any additional charges up to that amount can hit your account in a month, which will up your DD the following month. By setting this to £0, no additional charges can be added to your mobile account.

Ildhund

Thanks, @MeteredOut. Sadly, I'm afraid the complexities of mobile phone contracts are quite beyond me, so I'll just crawl back under my rock 🐢

MeteredOut

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81973233#Comment_81973233

It might be worthwhile loggined onto your account, and look for something called "spend limits" or similar, and then change it to £0. Its not critical, but just a little extra added level of safety.