Trading Standards Scotland: Winter Energy Scams

As we reach colder wmonths, Trading Standards Scotland have released information about winter energy scams currently taking place and what to look out for. 

Energy grant scams 

48% of respondents to the Big Scottish Scams Survey had experienced an energy scam in the last year. In most cases, this involved a cold caller providing misleading information about the availability of grants or funding for products such as insulation, boilers, heating and double glazing.

In one recent case, a woman was cold called by a salesperson who handed her a leaflet and claimed he was working on behalf of the Scottish Government to offer free home improvements, including boilers.

Several householders have also recently been cold called by a company who say they are working in partnership with a charitable organisation to offer grants for the installation of new double glazing.

How to avoid: 

• Don't accept any information from online ads or cold callers without doing independent research 
• To check if there is valid funding available in your area, contact Home Energy Scotland on 0808 808 2282 or www.homeenergyscotland.org 
• Avoid taking part in any phone surveys from cold callers or following their instructions to fill out online forms or questionnaires
• If you are thinking about installing energy efficiency measures in your home, seek impartial advice from trusted companies rather than trusting cold callers or online adverts

Meter reading scams 

There have been more reports of doorstep scammers who say they work for Scottish Power. They tell the householder that the meter readings they have supplied to the company are wrong and they have used more gas and electricity than normal. They ask to enter the property to check the meter.

There have also been similar reports of scammers who say they work for SGN or another utility company and ask to enter properties to read meters or check boilers.

How to avoid: 

• Scottish Power state on their website that their meter readings and inspections are carried out by Calisen metering services. All readers are required to carry an ID badge which will show the company name 'Calisen Metering', a photograph, the reader's name, expiry date, reference number, and phone number
• SGN advise that all of their employees and contractors wear a visible photo ID badge. You can call them free 24/7 on 0800 048 2438 to check that a caller genuinely works for them
• Never feel obliged to answer the door to a cold caller – it is your home and you should not let anyone in unless you feel comfortable
• Sign up for Neighbourhood Watch Scotland Alerts to stay up to date with what is going on in your community: www.neighbourhoodwatchscotland.co.uk

Misleading ads for mini heaters

As temperatures drop, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is urging people to be on high alert for misleading mini-heater adverts.

Some advertisers are exploiting people's concerns about rising costs and high heating bills by posting highly misleading adverts for plug-in mini-heaters. 

How to avoid:

• Be wary when buying products from unknown websites or sellers, particularly if they promise to make savings on your energy bills and are advertised at a price that's significantly cheaper than similar branded products 
• Only buy electrical products from trusted retailers - avoid third party sellers on online marketplaces 
• Pay by credit card or a secure online payment system for stronger protection
• Check independent reviews of the seller/store
• Check the site's returns policy and terms and conditions
• If you see a misleading or scam advert online, you can report it to the ASA here: https://www.asa.org.uk/make-a-complaint/report-an-online-scam-ad.html

'Free electricity' scam e-mails

There has been an increase in reports of scam emails offering grants or funding for solar panels. Some say that having the panels installed will increase your property value and decrease your energy bills, while others mention 'free electricity'. The e-mails ask you to click a link to check your eligibility for funding or grants.

These links typically lead to a form where you are asked to enter your contact information, which is then often passed to companies who may go on to cold call you with bogus 'deals'.

How to avoid: 

• Don't accept information from online ads or cold callers without doing independent research 
• Don't fill out online forms or questionnaires from adverts about energy efficiency measures, or any phone surveys from cold callers
• The best way to avoid misleading information about energy efficiency products is to seek advice from trusted companies and to have an impartial assessment carried out to determine which energy saving measures will actually benefit your home. You can do this by calling Home Energy Scotland on 0808 808 2282 or visiting www.homeenergyscotland.org - they also offer free and impartial information about energy saving measures

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