WARNING!

Warning about a door step scam “Energy companies and Consumer Focus, the consumer watchdog, are warning that an estimated 85,000 households have been affected by a doorstep scam which seems to offer cheaper electricity meter top-ups but just ends up with consumers paying twice.  As the scale of widespread illegal sales of electricity top-up on the doorstep is revealed, energy companies are launching a national campaign, “Top up Safe”, urging electricity prepayment meter customers to buy top-up only through official channels.  The problem is affecting customers of all of the leading energy companies (British Gas, EDF Energy, E.ON, Npower, Scottish Power and SSE).  Companies have begun writing to and telephoning their electricity pre-payment meter customers to alert them. There is evidence of serious and organised criminal activity and they are urging customers not to buy credit for their meters on the doorstep.  Some customers are being offered £50 of electricity meter top-up for a cash payment of just £25. Energy companies detect when they have not received payment for electricity used. As the energy credit is illegal any customer buying top-up on the doorstep will end up paying twice, first to the criminal and then to their energy supplier.”  For more information use reference WB/CMS/3219/10.