PEOPLE in Warrington are being warned about a scam in which cut-price energy is offered to householders with pre-payment meters.
The town’s public protection service says data from the leading energy companies, such as British Gas, E.ON and npower, shows that the fraud organised by criminal gangs is hitting customers across the country.
Incidents have been recorded in neighbouring Runcorn and Widnes since August, and Warrington people are being advised to be aware of the risk.
Customers are being urged to only buy their electricity meter top-ups from official PayPoint and Payzone retailers or the Post Office to avoid being scammed.
Otherwise they may end up paying twice – once to the criminal and then again to their electricity supplier who can detect the fraud.
Coun Mike Biggin, the borough council’s executive member for climate change and public protection, said: “The scam is of particular concern because to obtain the fake top-ups people must let criminals into their homes to access their electricity meters.”
Some energy company have received reports of threatening behaviour by the fraudsters.
Christine McGourty, director of Energy UK, said: “Energy companies have been working together to tackle prepayment fraud. However, the numbers of incidents continue to rise as more people fall victim to this serious scam.
“The only people benefiting from this scam are the fraudsters and the only way to get the energy you pay for is to buy top-ups from official PayPoint and Payzone retailers or the Post Office.”
