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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Inappropriate contact from British Gas engineer?!!

426 replies

PandaEyed13 · 21/03/2023 11:31

Bit of a weird one!

Has anyone had a gas/electric engineer respond to a call out at their property - and then had the engineer call and text their personal mobile number weeks after the work?!

Had a problem with my gas meter at my house last month and British Gas sent multiple engineers on varying dates to try and fix the issue, 4 engineers in total on 4 separate dates over the past few weeks, the issue got fixed and resolved last week, job done, lovely stuff!

Over this past weekend though I had 2 missed calls from a mobile phone number I didn't recognise. I didn't answer because it's just my personal philosophy not to answer to unfamiliar numbers, I assumed they were cold calls and forgot about it.

Yesterday morning though, I got 2 more calls from this number. Then a text - "Hi there B, (not my real name) it's 'Dan' (not his real name) from British Gas, call me back..'

Erm...that's weird right?
So when I cast my mind back, 'Dan' was engineer number 2 from visit number 2 about 3 weeks ago!

I can remember him being very friendly, really helpful - to the point of being almost above and beyond. He didn't cross any boundaries on the day. He was a teeny tiny bit vibey, like the absolute smidgen of a flirt, but not in a way that made me uncomfortable, he was just treating me a bit 'damsel in distressy,' which I didnt think much of at the time, I just wanted the work done! He even offered to call my DH for me at his work and explain what work he was doing at the house so I didn't have to bother trying to suss out the jargon to relay back to him. I said no thanks, but me being married became known information!

Fast forward 3 weeks and he's called my personal mobile number from his 4 times and sent a text asking me to call him. This is weird, yes? Boundary crossing? Call-out engineers never do follow up calls right? None of the other 3 engineers who came to my house have contacted me! I called my mum right after and DH on his work break and both freaked out, like "what if he's a nutter, he knows where you live!" etc etc.

My mum advised to reply to his text saying "no thanks, I won't be calling as the work has been completed at our property now, but thanks for your help on the day" and then to block his number if he replies to that or calls again. So I sent that text this morning and no reply as of yet. DH wants his number to call him though and ask what the F he wants! I spoke to British Gas this morning and they said it's not commonplace for call-out engineers to make contact with residents of properties they have attended or to make follow up calls and do I want to start an investigation. I said I didn't know because I haven't heard anything else since I sent my "thanks but no thanks" message a few hours ago, so they said call back if I get anything else.

I don't want to get anyone in trouble if it's all innocent, or antagonise anyone if it's not!

And DH is chomping at the bit for me to pass his number on so he can ring him, which I'm also reluctant to do?

Ideas, opinions? Anyone else had the 'friendly engineer' hit them up? I tried to Google whether engineers do this and there's absolutely nothing, so I'm thinking - no, they don't! Even if he is just following up on the day, it's still inappropriate and boundary crossing right? How he got my mobile num, I don't even know, he's a call-out engineer not a call centre agent with account access!

Didn't know where else to post this so went with AIBU, although I don't think I am to be freaked out!

OP posts:

Cantstandbullshitanymore · 21/03/2023 16:34

KnittingNeedles · 21/03/2023 11:50

The problem is that the op doesn’t know what “this” is. As others have said he is not necessarily a scary sex pest, he may be someone who’s lost a screwdriver or needs your signature on something.

Show quote history

True he may just have forgotten something but surely he can just include it in his text.

Hi this xx from British Gas. I forgot my screwdriver when I was at yours to fix yy, can you please check and confirm if it’s there and I’ll arrange a time to pick it up?

It’s simple, transparent, easy and less likely to lead to misinterpretation.

EvelynKatie · 21/03/2023 16:35

Newnamefor2021 · 21/03/2023 16:27

As a wife of a BG engineer I'll weigh in.

No, it's not typical but I wouldn't say it's completely unheard of either.

The system is pretty much automated now, so engineers are being given customers numbers and told they are to deal with issues. It's not part of their contract of course but they are sometimes told to sort of problem jobs or if the system gives them unrealistic workloads they are told they must call customers to reschedule. Sometimes the work load can be triple what's actually possible in a normal day, while other engineers have no work, and they expect engineers to sort it personally (usually in their own time) as they will be disciplined for taking any "unproductive" time.

They are also punished on work not completed on the day and potentially have to come in their off time to make up for it.

Likely if he thought the job might recall, so he called to check. I've known engineers to call in on their off time to resolve minor things to save the recall (this is obviously not company policy).

Alternatively he is worried because a job that has three call outs goes to a senior manager meeting and they have to justify why they didn't fix it. So he might be looking at what happened and why it wasn't fixed. So he can explain at the meeting. He could look at the report though, but potentially another engineer could blame the previous one on reports.

It's a crap job but they pay isn't bad (obviously not by MN standards) so it seems unlikely he would be doing it to get a date or whatever given it sounds like nothing happened and he acknowledged you have a partner. Although I suppose men have done weirder by thinking with their dicks.

Which is fine.... but just mention on the damn text why they're calling, or leave a voicemail, instant of ringing multiple times and then hanging up when her DH did answer?

EvelynKatie · 21/03/2023 16:38

Several people missing the point here.

He could have left a quick voicemail to state what he needed, or mentioned briefly why he was calling when he sent the text (instead of an unprofessional 'Hi It's Dan here call me.' Especially after OP then texted to say job was done now and she didn't need contacting.
He also could have then explained why he was calling when her DH answered the phone, instead of hanging up on him!
Even BG themselves are investigating as this is not normal process.

Cantstandbullshitanymore · 21/03/2023 16:39

PandaEyed13 · 21/03/2023 14:43

Why do people keep saying I've "involved" my husband and my mum?! That bit is actually making me laugh! Doubting why I posted here, fair enough. But suggesting I've mithered my husband and mum? Seriously, do none of you speak to your partners and loved ones?

“Doubting why I posted here”

Bringing your issues to MN is like going to The Jerry Springer show with a herd mentality audience lol

TaunterOfWomenInGeneralSaysSayonarastu · 21/03/2023 16:48

AIBUNoNo · 21/03/2023 16:22

I see your point but I also think that an adult, you should be able to deal with unwanted attention (if that is what it was) yourself and not delegate it to your husband. That really is playing the 'I'm just a woman & can't look after myself' card.

You've jumped from a call from a tradesman, about something to thinking he's going to turn up or stalk you or whatever.

What's the worst that could happen? He invites you out? In which case you say no thanks, I'm happily married and then think about reporting him.

On the other hand, I do know of couples - friends of friends- who have ended up in happy relationships with tradesmen who did work for them.

On the other hand, I do know of couples - friends of friends- who have ended up in happy relationships with tradesmen who did work for them.

So you're suggesting that the engineer is after a threesome with OP & her DH?

DashboardConfessional · 21/03/2023 16:52

CustardySergeant · 21/03/2023 16:33

So why, when the OP's husband called, didn't he say that, instead of hanging up?

Why didn't this engineer record his visit to the OP's address like the other three did?

Show quote history

Exactly. Why would he hang up and start calling the OP?

Original poster

PandaEyed13 · 21/03/2023 16:52

Little update, not that a large amount of posters will read, as a narrative of me being a simple, simpering, attention seeking drama queen who fancies herself is being whipped up!

Anyway, I got a call from British Gas just now. They've spoken to him and they also contacted the last engineer to attend my property (which was last week) to check the work was completed and everything signed and closed. She said she did complete the work and closed the case, but the engineer who has been calling me - called her today making enquiries about me and asking her to call me on a 'follow up,' which she declined as it's not standard practice. He disputes this.
They spoke to him too and he IS a genuine British Gas engineer and said he was calling to check on me! That's it. Just checking on me.
He was unhappy to speak to my husband as 'he's not the account holder.' Sounds like some bull.
And apparently he's sorry.
British Gas are very sorry, everyone is sorry! Apparently!
So yeah. They said he's being taken through internal disciplinary procedures and offered me £30 credit on my account for my inconvenience!

I said as long as I recieve NO further contact from him and that will be it, then I'm happy to leave it there.

OP posts:

swimlyn · 21/03/2023 16:53

I wouldn’t worry.

It’s not as if he’s a Met Policeman.

Reinventinganna · 21/03/2023 16:54

@PandaEyed13 you’ve done the right thing by reporting it. I don’t think that there’s anything wrong with your approach.

Reinventinganna · 21/03/2023 16:55

PandaEyed13 · 21/03/2023 16:52

Little update, not that a large amount of posters will read, as a narrative of me being a simple, simpering, attention seeking drama queen who fancies herself is being whipped up!

I said as long as I recieve NO further contact from him and that will be it, then I'm happy to leave it there.

Checking that you are okay? What a fucktard.

Andnot · 21/03/2023 16:59

So many posters seem unable to read pandyeyed13 s messages - their responses are utterly unbelievable! I don’t swear but very nearly have done at so many of the responses!!!!

CustardySergeant · 21/03/2023 16:59

"Checking on you"! Good grief.
I hope they asked him why he didn't record his visit to your house. Very very suspicious indeed.

DashboardConfessional · 21/03/2023 17:02

I'm sure the apologists will find a reason that this is Totally Fine and Not At All Creepy.

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 21/03/2023 17:02

Just call him back? What's the issue here?

He already has your number.

Andnot · 21/03/2023 17:02

BG response also unbelievable!! Also £30 did you suppress laughter ?!

ifIwerenotanandroid · 21/03/2023 17:04

Sounds like you've done the right thing OP.

In case it helps, I had a routine gas boiler service booked once, & the guy who turned up gave all the wrong signals from the minute I opened the door. I made him think my husband was in the house, to put him off trying anything, & he dismantled the boiler saying he couldn't fix it today & would have to come out again tomorrow. As soon as he was out of the house I was on the phone to the company, saying I wanted someone else to call the next day.

They did, & when the new guy looked at the boiler he said there was no reason why the first bloke couldn't have fixed the boiler there & then, in one visit the day before. I showed him the worksheet from the previous day & he said he didn't recognise the name on it. This was a small family business, where everyone knew everyone else. So I reckon I dodged a bullet there.

What peeved me the most was that they charged me two callout fees!!

Runningonjammiedodgers · 21/03/2023 17:07

swimlyn · 21/03/2023 16:53

I wouldn’t worry.

It’s not as if he’s a Met Policeman.

At first this made me laugh. Then it made me want to cry.

puffinpetra · 21/03/2023 17:07

Starlight2021 · 21/03/2023 15:55

OP please do not explain yourself to the absolute cock merchants who say you are being a drama queen.
Too many women have been hurt and killed because they think “am I being dramatic” in potentially dangerous situations. You did the right thing by calling his employers.
If anyone is reading this reply and disagreeing, then my friend you are the cock merchant I refer to and I will delight in ignoring your response because it honestly doesn’t mean a thing when it comes to safety so you can respectfully pop the f&ck off

What a balanced post. Kind of reminds me of the divvy kids at school who just used a lot of swearing to try to cover up the fact that they didn't know what they were talking about a lot of the time.

Fwiw nobody is minimising predatory behaviour from men. But we don't know that this is what that was. And if it was, it's not a 'hurt or killed' situation, it's a phone call.

Cocobutt · 21/03/2023 17:19

Why didn’t you just call him back and see what the issue was?? Would’ve saved you writing this entire thread/speaking with both your mum and husband. You must have a lot of free time

I agree.
This is so much unnecessary drama.

I don’t answer numbers I don’t know either but as soon as I found out who it was I would have rang them back and found out what they wanted.

If it was an update on my service then I’d be glad I did.
And if it was anything inappropriate then I would block and report.

This could have been all sorted within an hour easily.

Original poster

PandaEyed13 · 21/03/2023 17:22

CustardySergeant · 21/03/2023 16:59

"Checking on you"! Good grief.
I hope they asked him why he didn't record his visit to your house. Very very suspicious indeed.

He told them it was an oversight and doesn't know why it wasn't recorded!

OP posts:

ifIwerenotanandroid · 21/03/2023 17:23

Some peple need to RTFT (or at least 'see all') & learn to recognise predatory behaviour.

HoneyPotBee · 21/03/2023 17:27

Andnot · 21/03/2023 17:02

BG response also unbelievable!! Also £30 did you suppress laughter ?!

What‘s wrong with that compensation?

OhwhyOY · 21/03/2023 17:27

Eurgh what a creep. I would have rung him back the first time as I would have wanted to tell him to right off, but anyone saying you're unreasonable for not doing so is daft. Not everyone wants to take a direct approach, and like you say it could well have backfired and he could have decided you were 'interested ' because you called back. Sounds like a very dodgy character indeed. Well done for following it up with the company, and I do hope that's the end of it. If not I'd definitely be logging the case with the police as harassment, even if they do nothing with it, so you've got a record.

Otterock · 21/03/2023 17:28

I would have felt the same way too OP and clearly it’s turned out to be dodgy. I would also be raising the GDPR breach with British Gas. Him having your number on his personal phone is really not ok.

CustardySergeant · 21/03/2023 17:33

PandaEyed13 · 21/03/2023 17:22

He told them it was an oversight and doesn't know why it wasn't recorded!

Show quote history

This is all so unsettling isn't it? Funny there was an "oversight" about who had been to your house, with the same engineer who wouldn't stop calling you, yet hung up on your husband when he called to see what the problem was. I don't believe that excuse about why he hung up either. He's a gas engineer not a medical professional where your privacy could be breached! I hope you're OK.

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