Be Scam Aware - electricty bill discount?

 

Central

Bedfordshire

Scam Aware

Central Bedfordshire Council’s Trading Standards team is warning consumers to be on their guard if they receive a telephone call where the caller offers a large discount off an electricity bill.

We have received a report from a concerned resident who has recently received a telephone call, where the caller claimed to be calling from the "Electricity Head Board". The caller, who was described as having an Asian Indian accent, then claimed that as previous electricity bills have been paid promptly and that the resident "qualified as a senior citizen" they could be "entitled to 40% off your electricity bills by fitting a meter" which would be sent by the caller.

 

Based on the information we have received we believe that this is most likely to be a scam and we would advise anyone to act with extreme caution when receiving such calls.

 

Our advice to consumers is to never give your personal or bank account details to anybody over the telephone unless you are absolutely certain of their intentions. Never be intimidated into making a quick decision, for example, because an offer is available for a limited period only. If you express any interest to the offer being made, you may be identified as a possible target for a future scam attempt. If you are ever unsure as to whether the offer being made or the call is genuine, do not be afraid to hang up the telephone.

 

If you have information about suspect rogue traders or would like to report a possible scam please initially contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06, in order so that all relevant regulatory authorities can be notified.

In the meantime, please visit our website www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/bescamaware for advice and guidance on how to spot a scam and how to avoid becoming a victim.

Kind regards

Trading Standards

(Community Safety and Public Protection)

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Central Bedfordshire Council Priory House, Monks Walk, Chicksands, Shefford, Bedfordshire, SG17 5TQ

Telephone: 0300 300 8136 Email: trading.standards@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

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