Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Telling "EON meter reader" he couldn't come in

70 replies

Wellington17 · 18/01/2022 16:45

I know I'm not really being unreasonable here, but a man in unbranded high vis just turned up on my doorstep asking to come in and take a gas meter reading, saying he was from our energy provider EON. I said that he couldn't as we'd given one earlier in the month, as we do every month. He asked to come in and take another one anyway and I refused.

Does this sound like something legit? I'd be surprised if EON did this in COVID times, when we're giving our monthly readings anyway, but I guess they may do to do spot checks on readings?

Either way, I know I wasn't being unreasonable here as he didn't have a branded high vis and I was home alone and 7 months pregnant and didn't fancy being attacked or having my home scoped out for a burglary! He did have a lanyard around his neck, but wasn't close enough to see what it said on it.

In terms of voting though:

YABU - Energy companies do sometimes send representatives around to randomly check your meter reading even though you're giving monthly readings online.

YANBU - They won't do that and this man was definitely a weirdo.

OP posts:
TheSnowyOwl · 18/01/2022 18:22

YABU - Energy companies do sometimes send representatives around to randomly check your meter reading even though you're giving monthly readings online.

This is correct so technically YABU but it’s completely acceptable to ask them to come back another time or else ring your supplier to authorise the person at your door.

It doesn’t matter how often you submit readings, suppliers are supposed to carry out their own periodic checks to both confirm the readings are correct and a visual check to confirm there isn’t a H&S risk (such as you tampering with your meter).

Pat123dev · 18/01/2022 18:22

I voted yabu as per previous posts.
They do need to be read- but you should definitely refuse entry if you're at all uncomfortable.

Mouseonmychair · 18/01/2022 18:23

So it is easy to forge Id but not a hi Viz jacket. Ok. If you don't want your meter read go on prepayment.

JuergenSchwarzwald · 18/01/2022 18:24

I have had this and fed back to the company that their meter readers needed to wear a uniform and have ID. For a while they were sending people out in jeans and a hoodie. Nothing wrong with wearing jeans and a hoodie but it doesn't look very official like a uniform does.

The meter readers are generally outsourced but still under contact to the energy company so they should still meet certain standards. Being obviously legitimate should be one of them!

I think they needed to see your meter once every 2 years in case there is anything wrong with it or you're fiddling the electricity so not sure what the requirements are now.

WeatherwaxOn · 18/01/2022 18:26

Votes YABU because they do sometimes do random readings and you could have asked for and checked ID.
However YANBU to find it inconvenient or to have safety concerns.

BigYellowHat · 18/01/2022 18:28

It’s your home and you don’t have to let people in if you don’t want to. If you’ve been sending monthly readings then that should be enough. Anyone official who is asking to come needs to make it very clear who they are and you should be able to ask them to leave and come back at a specific time if you feel uncomfortable.

MintJulia · 18/01/2022 18:31

He may be legit but you are under no obligation to let him in.

I would say no and close the door.

SlashBeef · 18/01/2022 18:34

You're never unreasonable not to let a man into your home if you don't feel comfortable.

NannaMcPhoo · 18/01/2022 18:44

I refuse this on safety rather than covid grounds.

I lock the door then go and take a photo of the meter and come back to the door and show it.

Backtomyoldname · 18/01/2022 18:47

As others have written companies do use meter reading services - but you said it was eon - your company.

No id/not offering it, no company hi viz, meter read recently all says this is potentially dodgy.

Did he have a van - any markings on it?

Wheresmywoolyjumpers · 18/01/2022 19:10

I voted YABU because they do sent out people from time to time but YANBU to refuse to let a strange man in when they just show up at your door. If they want to take a reading, they can give you notice. That is what I tell them anyway.

RoseGoldEagle · 18/01/2022 19:30

I think they do send people, but honestly they should give notice or somehow have a better system for this. I wouldn’t let any man who knocked on my door that I wasn’t expecting in to my home these days- no matter what lanyard or card they showed me (I never get how those cards help- anyone could fake a card and you’re not going to know what an official one looks like!). I’ve even thought that if police came doing door to door enquires I’d have to say I’d go in to a police station at a later point to help if needed. I just won’t take that risk, and you were right not to either.

Socialcarenope · 18/01/2022 19:34

Legally, energy companies have to take a meter reading every 2 years - this means thet have to send a person and you have to allow entry (it's in the small print of your contract). This is to ensure that your meter is working and your bills are accurate and you don't owe a huge amount of money. Most meter readings are done by a 3rd party who works for a number of energy companies. However, they should show you IF and also give you time to call the company or your energy supplier to check.

Socialcarenope · 18/01/2022 19:35

*ID not IF

TurquoiseDragon · 18/01/2022 19:36

@Socialcarenope

Legally, energy companies have to take a meter reading every 2 years - this means thet have to send a person and you have to allow entry (it's in the small print of your contract). This is to ensure that your meter is working and your bills are accurate and you don't owe a huge amount of money. Most meter readings are done by a 3rd party who works for a number of energy companies. However, they should show you IF and also give you time to call the company or your energy supplier to check.
Physical meter readings aren't just about the numbers. They also do a quick visual check too. For a number of reasons, not just potential fraud.
dilligaff303 · 12/09/2022 12:47

i can go and buy a hi vis vest any where and get an i.d card printed so you you are right not to let him in

Brefugee · 12/09/2022 12:50

Fine to refuse entry, but

I know I wasn't being unreasonable here as he didn't have a branded high vis

that is a daft reason. Ask for company ID. If still suspicious look up the company's phone number and call them. If still suspicious call the police and let them know.

If someone mugged an E.ON meter reader and turned up in their branded Hi Vis vest would you let them in based on that? (please say "no")

bellac11 · 12/09/2022 12:56

We havent had anyone read our meter for years. I give the odd reading myself, just done one recently, last one I gave was last October.

I wouldnt know if someones ID was a genuine one, how would I know?

Quveas · 12/09/2022 12:57

I had the same thing and I also refused to let him in. If EON want to check my meter readings are correct they can spend some of their vast profits on upgrading my smart meter software, which they have been promising will happen for five years now!

ClaudineClare · 12/09/2022 13:02

Why are people bringing zombie threads back to life today?

New posts on this thread. Refresh page