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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Am i just a stupid gulable woman?

40 replies

thenightwalker · 01/02/2011 14:10

A man nocked earlier to say he was working for the government and fitting cavity wall insulation an part of a government grant sceme to reduce c02 emissions.

He said my house was one of the only houses in the area to not have the cavity walls insulated.

I explained to him that it was not my house and that it was rented and he said i would just have to get permission from the landlord but it was all free.

He hada litle badge on he said he was from globalenergies ltd.

he had me fill out a form...
I filled in my name
adress
phone number
and signed it :s
he wanted my National insurance number but i said i didnt know it and id have to get back to him (i did know it i just thought it was iffy)
he asked if he could phone me in an hour or 2 for it (dodgy) so i said ok
i havnt given it to him yet
they have a website that seems plausable and the sheet i filled in seemed very professional.

Have i been scammed?
Could he really do anything with the details he has?
I wont be giving him my NIS!!!

help

OP posts:
Original poster
thenightwalker · 01/02/2011 14:12

oh and my date of birth :s

OP posts:
gordyslovesheep · 01/02/2011 14:13

well giving all those details to some random stranger is a bit didgy yes - now what's your bank account number...

gordyslovesheep · 01/02/2011 14:14

ha DODGY not didgy

mutznutz · 01/02/2011 14:15

Yes, extremely gullable.

I take it you own a timeshare and have at least 43 useless insurance policies?

I'm sorry but you really need to toughen yourself up to these things as soon as you move out of your parents house...because these people pray on people like yourself.

mutznutz · 01/02/2011 14:15

They prey too Blush

CuppaTeaJanice · 01/02/2011 14:15

I had a similar thing from Nationwide Energy recently. www.nesuk.com

I don't think they are scammers, presumably they get some sort of commission from the government or from the cavity wall/roof insulation installers so are doing a big marketing campaign at the moment.

It's only free if your household income is less than £16K. You do get a subsidy if you earn more though.

TotemPole · 01/02/2011 14:16

gordy, didgy is a good word.

walesblackbird · 01/02/2011 14:16

Not necessarily. Have you googled their website?

We just had our walls insulated for the princely sum of £42 and have also had the loft insulated. It's a government initiative and there's plenty of information available.

Now considering having solar panels- they can be fitted for free as well.

I never though deal with anyone cold calling at the door.

Longstocking2 · 01/02/2011 14:16

gullible not gullable.
you don't have to give anyone anything if you're a tenant and want to get out of it, in future just refer them to landlord.

Acanthus · 01/02/2011 14:17

On the gullible... Grin

Geistesabwesenheit · 01/02/2011 14:17

Nightwalker, this may be relevant:

www.lovemoney.com/blog/scammagnet/the-new-scam-on-your-doorstep-10033.aspx

GloriaSmut · 01/02/2011 14:18

Nothing is ever free.

But I'm not sure why you had any sort of conversation with him, tbh, since you couldn't possibly agree to have cavity wall insulation installed in a rented house. Let alone sign forms. In this respect, I think you need to be careful that you haven't signed some sort of binding contract. So when he does phone you, check this out.

Do you usually hand out such personal information to complete strangers?

Original poster
thenightwalker · 01/02/2011 14:19

Could they do anyhting with the details iv given them? they have my
name
adress
d.o.b
phone number
signature

is there going to be someone doing some major fraud in my name?

im so upset i feel so stupid

OP posts:
smoggii · 01/02/2011 14:19

These people virtually forced their way into my house when my baby was a week old and my husband was trying to sort stuff out while I was changing her upstairs. By the time I heard him, he had taken his shoes off even though hubby was saying it wasn't really a good time.
I shouted down the stairs that he'd been told it wasn't a good time and to get out as he was taking a liberty. He had the cheek to say 'can i come back later' I said No.

We already have cavity insulation as the previous owners put it in. Grants are available but usually just for the elderly and those on benefits but I would always be wary of a company offering to obtain a grant on my behalf as there must be something in it for them. I would guess that your NINO is so they can apply for something from DWP. I wouldn't give it to them.

I take it you wouldn't have permission to make such decisions as the tenant anyway and if he's on the level he would know that. Sounds very dodgy to me.

LeQueen · 01/02/2011 14:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TotemPole · 01/02/2011 14:21

What's the website address?

ashamedandconfused · 01/02/2011 14:21

EVEN IF you have signed to give permission for some sort of work to be done, they have to send you a paper copy, then there is a cooling off period

but FWIW i thinks its likely to be kosher

Original poster
thenightwalker · 01/02/2011 14:22

www.threeenergies.co.uk/

thatsthe website

OP posts:
verytellytubby · 01/02/2011 14:23

Did you not wonder why he would want your NI number to discuss walls????

GloriaSmut · 01/02/2011 14:23

Having read Geistesabwesenheit's link, I would say you have definitely been scammed. As the writer of the linked report states, it isn't illegal but it isn't fair trading either.

All I can suggest is that you become very much more cautious about discussions with total strangers on your doorstep. I don't buy anything as a result of unsolicited calls.

atmywitssend · 01/02/2011 14:24

My mum did just this a while ago. When she calmed don, we googled the company, phoned and established that the man who had come to her house was genuine. Five minute phone call and all stress gone. Assuming he gave you a card - try this to put your mind at rest?

wubblybubbly · 01/02/2011 14:25

The details they've asked for are the usual details these companies need. If they have a website then it's probably okay.

On the otherhand, it's never a good idea to deal with people on the doorstep. If they are legit they should be happy to put the information in the post to you, to peruse at your own leisure.

Original poster
thenightwalker · 01/02/2011 14:26

How will i know if hewas genuine when i call.. could be some bogus company chargine me £5 a second to call them lol

OP posts:
Blacksand · 01/02/2011 14:27

"If they have a website then it's probably okay"

a. They might not be the company on the website - it is easy to copy a logo.

b. It is also easy to set up a bogus website that looks realistic.

GloriaSmut · 01/02/2011 14:28

I thought you said he would call you?

In any case, I wouldn't be having conversations on the phone, communicate via their website and tell them that the form you've signed is invalid because you do not own your house and thus do not have permission for cavity wall insulation to be put in.

I'd be inclined to warn your landlord too. Not that he/she is likely to be thrilled to learn you've agreed to structural alterations to their house.

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