Scam Metre Reader

[malagabob]

A elderly female friend was telling me she recently answered the door to someone supposedly a metre reader from her gas supplier. Apparently he had a hi viz on, showed an ID, said he had come to read her gas metre. He didn’t specify what supplier. Being a bit savvy she Ears gave him a mouthful, asking him why, in these times of covid would a company send a stranger, to try and gain entry to someone’s house. She refused him entry. He went away.
A scam it seems. I myself submit readings online. I don’t have one of those smart metres. Won’t have one. But I do/did before covid, get readers coming, maybe once a year, even if I’ve just submitted online.
Has anyone had genuine a metre reader this year.

[Peter Pedant]

4.5 m gas meters have ceased working - being smart
going gooby - there is a name for it
which means "you are now at our mercy and you signed for it"

and well done for the old bat identifying a stranger

[brainiac]

I had a metre reader call the other day, said my iambic pentameters were fine

[ubasses]

Under ofgem rules all meters must be read by the supplier at least once every 2 years,.

[Peter Pedant]

an elegiac and completely unexpected contribution from Brainaic
a golden line perhaps

[Buenchico]

As Ubasses points out, all energy suppliers are required to send out meter readers to people's homes at least once every two years (presumably unless they've got a smart meter).

I've had a guy from Morrison Data Services (working on behalf of British Gas) call at my house only this week. He initially put a card through the door, to say that he couldn't gain access, while I was out. He then returned the following day and looked rather embarrassed when I pointed out that he's managed to miss the gas meter in the unlocked external meter cupboard right next to my front door!

However he was most definitely perfectly genuine!

[Buenchico]

LOL @ Brainiac!

[Caran]

I must be doing something wrong. How come two of you are paying £30ish per month. I changed from Scottish power where I was paying £105 per month because they said I had to have a smart meter. I'm now with Octopus paying £105.50 per month.

[Mamyalynne]

I've lived here 41 years and have had meter readers call 3 times to read my gas meter - each time they've left puzzled.

There has never been a gas supply to the property.

[zebo]

Yes, they've been here but as both gas and electricity meters are outside I didn't see them, just noticed on the bill. Apparently they have to read the meter once a year, last year the reader knocked on the door to promote smart meters, part of their job now, when I said we weren't interested he said Don't blame you!

[ubasses]

That does seem quite high Caran, although I think Emmie, who is only paying £30ish is in a small flat.
We are with Powershop and average about £50/70pm for a 5 bedroom house.

[emmie]

Caran i live in a flat with no central heating, no gas bills to speak of except gas oven. Do you have a house, family?

[emmie]

i don't know why your bills are as they are, but suggest that could be the reason. I phoned EDF and negotiated a deal with them.

[ubasses]

Must admit that the figure I gave does not include heating as we have oil and the 12 month bill was £380.

[emmie]

my brother has high energy bills, but he has 4 bed house, central heating and 2 kids.