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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Catspyjamas17 · 21/03/2023 12:32

I'd have called him back myself but yeah, looks like you were right to be suspicious of his motives.

Margot78 · 21/03/2023 12:34

I am shocked that so many of you have flamed the OP. Getting multiple calls from someone who shouldn’t have your number is clearly a bit odd. OP was quite right to trust her instincts that something wasn’t right. I wish women would support each other more, that’s why predators get away with this shit because women are always judged for making a fuss about “nothing”.

LysHastighed · 21/03/2023 12:35

What strange responses. Of the many possibilities, one possibility is certainly that the caller plans to harass her. It’s already clear that he has misused her data. Is she supposed to volunteer for the harassment in case he’s lost his screwdriver? Or can she think it over and try and avoid being harassed?

Throwncrumbs · 21/03/2023 12:36

Weird? I had a new boiler fitted by BG and they messaged me to score the experience with it, one of the questions was ‘ has the engineer called to see if everything has been ok since he left’ I said he hasn’t, but maybe because I’m an oldie!

Bellaboo01 · 21/03/2023 12:39

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!

Why didn't you just call or text back and ask him what he wants? I am assuming that he is hoping for some 'private work off the books' rather than be a pest to you.

You have asked your Mum, Husband, a forum, his company and who-knows-who-else but, not him. That seems more odd to me than him contacting you.

Sounds like you are making a drama out of nothing to be honest.

CaroleSinger · 21/03/2023 12:41

For god's sake. What if you're massively over thinking this? Is it possible he may have just lost something important when he was there and perhaps just wanted to check if he left it there? Talk about drama. Your reaction is unreasonable considering you haven't got a clue why he contacted you. It might not actually be about you.

Catspyjamas17 · 21/03/2023 12:41

Bellaboo01 · 21/03/2023 12:39

Why didn't you just call or text back and ask him what he wants? I am assuming that he is hoping for some 'private work off the books' rather than be a pest to you.

You have asked your Mum, Husband, a forum, his company and who-knows-who-else but, not him. That seems more odd to me than him contacting you.

Sounds like you are making a drama out of nothing to be honest.

Except it looks like his call was certainly for personal/inappropriate reasons given he hung up when her DP called.

Bellaboo01 · 21/03/2023 12:41

PandaEyed13 · 21/03/2023 12:25

I spoke to British Gas this morning, as mentioned in my OP, who said that it's not normal or the done thing for call-out engineers to contact customers about anything at all after job done. They also said he didn't record his attendance at my house whereas the other 3 engineers did.

I've read some of these comments, and I decided to give his number to DH to give him a call based upon those suggestions. He approached it as 'friendly customer returning a call.' He hung up on him when he explained who he was!
So yeah, report will be getting made.

To the people calling me a drama queen - aww thanks! Imagine being a bit concerned about getting multiple calls (over a weekend as well) from a guy you met weeks ago, for an hour, and a "hey, call me" from someone who's kept my number and knows where I live, didn't log his attendance at my house, AND I was attention seeking enough to ask advice on it from my husband and mum? Shocking! What am I like?! Silly me aye!!!

Yes - you get the 'Silly Billy Award'!

TaunterOfWomenInGeneralSaysSayonarastu · 21/03/2023 12:41

Corah5 · 21/03/2023 12:22

People are permanently offended nowadays. Whining “you’re not allowed to do that” and causing a huge fuss for nothing. Maybe he has a legitimate reason for contacting you. Or maybe he just found you attractive, and if you’re not interested you just block and move on. Snowflakes complaining about GDPR really get on my nerves.

A British Gas employee has broken British Gas rules of working, it's not snowflaking to point that out.

Those rules are there to protect both customers & staff.
This engineer will know damn well that as soon as the job's over, he is not allowed to retain the customer's number.
If he's left a tool there, BG has procedures to contact the customer to ask if they'd found it.

Glitteratitar · 21/03/2023 12:43

I have had this happen with a police officer, my bank manager, a client at work, a car hire rental employee, and a gym employee. Sure there have been more but those are the ones I remember.

In my experience, it’s never professional. They always want to make it personal. I’ve never complained as not wanted anyone to lose their job, but boundaries are crossed surprisingly often.

Catspyjamas17 · 21/03/2023 12:44

Bellaboo01 · 21/03/2023 12:41

Yes - you get the 'Silly Billy Award'!

And you get the "Helping sexual predators to get away with it" award.

Sortyourlifeout · 21/03/2023 12:45

Catspyjamas17 · 21/03/2023 12:44

And you get the "Helping sexual predators to get away with it" award.

👏

Sortyourlifeout · 21/03/2023 12:46

Bellaboo01 · 21/03/2023 12:39

Why didn't you just call or text back and ask him what he wants? I am assuming that he is hoping for some 'private work off the books' rather than be a pest to you.

You have asked your Mum, Husband, a forum, his company and who-knows-who-else but, not him. That seems more odd to me than him contacting you.

Sounds like you are making a drama out of nothing to be honest.

Would you have said the same if she felt she was being followed home? Just turn around and ask if he's following her?

Give yourself a talking to.

Haffiana · 21/03/2023 12:50

I would have dealt with it without getting DH, British Gas and the whole internet involved.

However I am a grown woman.

MishaBukvic · 21/03/2023 12:51

Report him OP, and open a complaint.

On a tangent, Not recording his attendance is weird. Working in a similar field, every visit/every engineer/any visit to any customer is logged down with a job sheet, and checked with their timesheets. It's suspicious to me that a company as large as British Gas have engineers visits unaccounted for.

Catspyjamas17 · 21/03/2023 12:51

It's a thread on MN, not the whole internet. Personally I think it's rather important to discuss predatory men visiting people's homes.

ellebelli · 21/03/2023 12:52

Years ago we had tesco deliver our shopping,afew times it was the same driver who was quite flirty with me(commented on my appearance etc)
Then I got a Facebook friend request from him and a message asking me to call him.
We reported him

Bellaboo01 · 21/03/2023 12:53

Sortyourlifeout · 21/03/2023 12:46

Would you have said the same if she felt she was being followed home? Just turn around and ask if he's following her?

Give yourself a talking to.

I've 'given myself a talking to' - thank you for pointing that out, 'myself' still thinks this is stupid and OTT.

Of course i wouldnt have said the same to someone being stalked/followed home as that is totally different.

He might have left a tool, not booked his time in correctly, wanted private work, checked that his work was up to scratch etc etc.

Bringnbuy77 · 21/03/2023 12:54

As the wife of someone with a similar job he is always leaving things behind, forgetting paper work, leaving his work computer/mobile behind. It’s probably a bit annoying for his customers but no one has ever blocked and ignored him.

QuillBill · 21/03/2023 12:57

I've 'given myself a talking to' - thank you for pointing that out, 'myself' still thinks this is stupid and OTT.

Well, that's grand. You are entitled to your opinion.

I think you managed it really well OP.

ancientgran · 21/03/2023 12:59

GlitchStitch · 21/03/2023 11:46

I had this with a BT engineer several years ago. He got my number from the paperwork and texted to call me a MILF and ask if I was single so no misunderstanding on what he wanted. Some missed calls and a message asking to call is different though, I wouldn't immediately assume anything dodgy.

Bloody hell, you didn't need to read between the lines with that one did you. I suppose at least you didn't have to wonder what he was getting at.

Rosula · 21/03/2023 13:00

Coffeellama · 21/03/2023 11:42

You sound like a total drama llama OP. What if he’s just forgotten to get you to sign something, or thinks he might have left a piece of equipment behind? Do you think if you respond and ask he’s going to stalk you to death? Total drama over nothing so far. If you responded and he didn’t have a very valid reason for contacting you then fair enough, but you don’t even no what he wants, calm down.

If those were the reasons, why wouldn't he say so in a phone message or one of the texts?

YellowDots · 21/03/2023 13:02

He might have left a tool, not booked his time in correctly, wanted private work, checked that his work was up to scratch etc etc.

If he's left a tool or not booked his time in correctly or wanted to check his work was up to scratch then why didn't he contact her through British Gas? Why did he take her number from the system and use it on his personal phone.

The OP might not want 'private work' done on her gas supply. Confused It sounds like she isn't stupid and you would have to be a little stupid to want that.

Somethingneedstochange78 · 21/03/2023 13:03

Just call him not everyone likes leaving a voice message. I had this in our old rental property. All it was the Ariel men had accidentally left a couple of tools.

Lampan · 21/03/2023 13:05

I can’t believe everyone is saying you’re overreacting. I too would have thought it was odd. Not to mention how annoyed I’d be by him offering to ring my husband and explain to him.
Anyway OP, sounds from your update that it might have been dodgy. If he was so keen to explain things to your husband, why won’t he speak to him now?