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85,000 households hit by pre-pay electricity card conmen
who make them pay for power bills twice
By Graham Smith
Last updated at 4:08 PM on 7th September 2010
Tens of thousands of electricity customers are being ripped off by criminals using a sophisticated meter key scam.
Doorstep salesmen offer victims the chance of illegal half-price electricity, according to watchdog Consumer Focus.
An estimated 85,000 households have so far fallen victim to the scam since the start of the summer.
Electricity key meter
Con: An estimated 85,000 households have fallen victim to an electricity meter top-up scam where doorstep salesman offer a cloned key for half-price
Customers are offered a £50 electricity meter top-up key for a cash payment of just £25.
The salesmen then push the cloned key into the householder's meter to add the credit and the extra electricity is added.
However, since the card has been cloned it is illegal and therefore customers have to then pay their energy supplier all over again.
A national campaign was launched today, urging electricity pre-payment meter customers to buy top-ups only through official channels.
HOW THE SCAM WORKS
1. Doorstep salesman offers householder a £50 electricity meter top-up key for £25
2. Salesman pushes the cloned key into householder's meter and the extra electricity is added
3. Energy supplier can tell key is an illegal clone and charges customer for electricity again - at full-price
Christine McGourty, director of Energy UK, which represents all the leading energy companies, said: 'This is a serious and widespread scam and we're launching the Top-Up Safe campaign to urge customers to steer clear of the criminals behind it.
'Just like when you buy something fake online - like a ticket for a football match or a music concert - you're the one who'll end up losing out in the end.
'Energy companies can detect the fraud and you'll end up paying twice for your electricity, first to the criminal and then again to your energy company, who can always detect when electricity has been used, but not paid for through the proper channels.
'Energy companies are determined to bring those responsible for these crimes to justice and are working closely with the police at a local and national level to stamp out this illegal activity.'
Mike O'Connor, chief executive of Consumer Focus, said: 'This despicable scam is putting cash in the pockets of criminals and defrauding thousands of people who are already hard pressed in this economic climate.
'Consumers must be on the alert for anyone who comes to their doorstep claiming to sell electricity credit. Any customer worried that they may have been affected should call their energy supplier or Consumer Direct to seek advice.'
Dave Cording, Crimestoppers' Director of Operations, added: 'If anyone knows someone selling illegal electricity top-ups, please contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or Crimestoppers-uk.org.
'The public can play a vital role in helping to catch criminals, simply by taking a few minutes to pass on any information they may have.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...nmen-pay-power-bills-twice.html#ixzz0yul53k4S
who make them pay for power bills twice
By Graham Smith
Last updated at 4:08 PM on 7th September 2010
Tens of thousands of electricity customers are being ripped off by criminals using a sophisticated meter key scam.
Doorstep salesmen offer victims the chance of illegal half-price electricity, according to watchdog Consumer Focus.
An estimated 85,000 households have so far fallen victim to the scam since the start of the summer.
Electricity key meter
Con: An estimated 85,000 households have fallen victim to an electricity meter top-up scam where doorstep salesman offer a cloned key for half-price
Customers are offered a £50 electricity meter top-up key for a cash payment of just £25.
The salesmen then push the cloned key into the householder's meter to add the credit and the extra electricity is added.
However, since the card has been cloned it is illegal and therefore customers have to then pay their energy supplier all over again.
A national campaign was launched today, urging electricity pre-payment meter customers to buy top-ups only through official channels.
HOW THE SCAM WORKS
1. Doorstep salesman offers householder a £50 electricity meter top-up key for £25
2. Salesman pushes the cloned key into householder's meter and the extra electricity is added
3. Energy supplier can tell key is an illegal clone and charges customer for electricity again - at full-price
Christine McGourty, director of Energy UK, which represents all the leading energy companies, said: 'This is a serious and widespread scam and we're launching the Top-Up Safe campaign to urge customers to steer clear of the criminals behind it.
'Just like when you buy something fake online - like a ticket for a football match or a music concert - you're the one who'll end up losing out in the end.
'Energy companies can detect the fraud and you'll end up paying twice for your electricity, first to the criminal and then again to your energy company, who can always detect when electricity has been used, but not paid for through the proper channels.
'Energy companies are determined to bring those responsible for these crimes to justice and are working closely with the police at a local and national level to stamp out this illegal activity.'
Mike O'Connor, chief executive of Consumer Focus, said: 'This despicable scam is putting cash in the pockets of criminals and defrauding thousands of people who are already hard pressed in this economic climate.
'Consumers must be on the alert for anyone who comes to their doorstep claiming to sell electricity credit. Any customer worried that they may have been affected should call their energy supplier or Consumer Direct to seek advice.'
Dave Cording, Crimestoppers' Director of Operations, added: 'If anyone knows someone selling illegal electricity top-ups, please contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or Crimestoppers-uk.org.
'The public can play a vital role in helping to catch criminals, simply by taking a few minutes to pass on any information they may have.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...nmen-pay-power-bills-twice.html#ixzz0yul53k4S
