E.ON and the crime-reporting charity Crimestoppers have launched a week of activity to help educate people about the dangers of energy fraudsters.
Building on long-standing efforts by both to raise awareness of energy fraud, the activity begins in the North West, after a rise in the number of incidents in that region. Incidents and crimes detected in recent months include a rise in the number of people claiming, often by cold calling, door-to-door sales, to provide “energy saving devices” or to “install energy saving parts”. The criminal then provides a device that at best does nothing but in many cases has damaged the meter or posed a fire risk.
Any tampering with a meter can be detected and ultimately all energy companies will seek payment for the energy used and the meter company is likely to charge for the damaged meter to be replaced.
Launching the campaign, Gary Murray, North West Regional Manager for Crimestoppers, joined E.ON’s Head of Crime Management, Angela Mann, at the company’s Bolton contact centre where over 1,000 people are employed.
Gary Murray said: “Our work with E.ON this week is about raising awareness of energy fraud but also letting people know they have an outlet to pass on information about prowling fraudsters. People should be able to purchase services without the threat of criminals taking advantage of them and looking to make easy money at the victim’s expense. This is why I would urge anyone with information on individuals or groups committing this crime to pass it onto Crimestoppers anonymously.”
And Angela Mann of E.ON said: “Our activity this week is helping to get the word out that by taking just a few simple precautions people can make sure they’re not conned by a trickster. We’re highlighting the issue and potential threat to our customers by providing extra advice to our colleagues, extra help to our customers and working with organisations such as Crimestoppers.”
Crimestoppers are to publish the results of a question and answer session on energy fraud on social media. People can ask their questions about energy fraud on Crimestoppers’ Facebook and Twitter pages and get help, advice and support.
