Did I let a scammer into my house?

Hoppinggreen · 09/05/2024 09:16

Why do you think he was a scammer and what scam exactly do you think he was perpetrating?

Original poster

2pence · 09/05/2024 09:21

I phoned my provider yesterday and they told me that they don't subcontract to British Gas to read meters and have no record of the reading.

He was only reading the gas meter and I get electric from same supplier.

He asked if I had a dog.

OP posts:

Original poster

2pence · 09/05/2024 09:22

Hoppinggreen · 09/05/2024 09:16

Why do you think he was a scammer and what scam exactly do you think he was perpetrating?

I think he may have been scoping properties for a burglary.

OP posts:

FiatEarth · 09/05/2024 09:25

I'm with British Gas and they refuse to read our meters!

VickyEadieofThigh · 09/05/2024 09:27

2pence · 09/05/2024 09:21

I phoned my provider yesterday and they told me that they don't subcontract to British Gas to read meters and have no record of the reading.

He was only reading the gas meter and I get electric from same supplier.

He asked if I had a dog.

Whilst this does sound like someone scoping your house, it IS normal for tradesmen etc to ask if you have a dog- this question on its own doesn't signify 'criminal'.
.

GentlemanJohnny · 09/05/2024 09:38

Our gas and electric are with the same supplier. Both meters are read separately.

Flickersy · 09/05/2024 09:46

Who installed the meter? If it was British Gas, I'm not surprised they came to check it or that they'd know they're not your current supplier.

Meter readings can also be done en-masse in an area by one individual, with the relevant data then provided to the correct suppliers.

I don't think this is a scam OP.

Original poster

2pence · 09/05/2024 10:01

Thanks @Flickersy, that's reassuring.

I don't know who fitted the meter as it was here when we bought the house.

It's really dilapidated though, could be 80s even.

OP posts:

Usedtoworkforthegas · 12/05/2024 21:17

I used to work for a big name supplier. To put your mind at rest gas meters need to be read every (used to be 5 could now be 3) years just to check just for safety. The readings take a day or two to upload and your supplier won’t bill to them as they are just a record of the read and to make sure it’s not been tampered with or faulty. Electricity meters are not subject to the same rules. Readings used to be taken predominantly by G4S but British gas do have a team and it depends what area you’re in as to who has responsibility for the reads. It’s very unlikely to be a scam and the question about the dog is usual too. Please try not to worry.

Stormyweathr · 12/05/2024 21:18

2pence · 09/05/2024 09:15

Posting in AIBU for traffic.

Got a knock on my door while working from home this Tuesday.

Man said he'd come to read my gas meter. I asked who my supplier was, he said the correct company.

I asked for ID and he showed me a gas registration card with British Gas on it, who are not my supplier.

He asked me if I had a dog before I let him in.

He only wanted to read the gas meter, not the electric and I have both with same supplier. However, both meters are in the (very scary and damp) basement with the electrical one round the corner at the bottom of the stairs.

He was in and out very quickly and with it being just after the bank holiday, house looked like a sh!t heap!

I was still in my PJs and looked scruffy and unkempt.

I'm hoping my general messy situation has deterred any burglary attempt, but am pretty sure I let a scammer in.

Has anyone else had anything like this happen recently?

I have a ring doorbell and the speaker in the house is a dog barking sound I always think if anyone scopes me out they would think I have several vigous dogs even though I have none

I always tell people even neighbours i have dogs too and that they are not very friendly dogs (they must think I am a awful pet owner as I never walk them 🤣)

Emmz1510 · 12/05/2024 21:29

We do occasionally get what seems like random checks on our meters despite the fact we supply gas readings and have a smart meter. Think it’s for a separate purpose although I can’t remember the explanation I got the last time. I think I told the guy I had literally just submitted a reading a day or two before and he said something like it doesn’t matter someone has to physically come out and check it and this service is contracted out to different contractors in different areas.

Mumofferal3 · 12/05/2024 21:47

2pence · 09/05/2024 09:21

I phoned my provider yesterday and they told me that they don't subcontract to British Gas to read meters and have no record of the reading.

He was only reading the gas meter and I get electric from same supplier.

He asked if I had a dog.

Meter readolings can take weeks to reach suppliers and general enquiries won't know for certain who goes out to read meters.

British gas own a lot of meters and lots of the heritage meters(non smart) now are reaching their expiry dates and will need replacing. I think it sounds genuine but if you feel it wasn't, I would phone 101 to log it. There might be other people in the area who have reported it too.

Houseofpainjumparound · 12/05/2024 21:49

As emmz said, they do random checks to make sure meters are working properly and people aren't doing anything illegal.

Our meters are on the outside but I have had a knock telling me they are doing a reading.

Louise303 · 12/05/2024 23:40

We had something very strange happen a few years ago a week after an annual gas check. A man knocked on the door with a clipboard and said he had some questions after the check. I told him from upstairs I was ready to get in the bath and could I answer from the window. He said no so I said well I will answer them on the phone if you ring me now I am in a robe and its quicker than me getting dressed. He said no I will call back and left quickly in an old muddy jeep. I rang the housing association who said they did not send anyone and the department that do the gas checks said the same. The man never came back he left too quick for me to get a number plate I was on my own that day and wonder what he really wanted. Our street always have the checks in the same couple of weeks and if I had been downstairs I would of let him in. I probably would of believed him and not even asked for a badge especially as he knew we had a gas check prior to him coming.

Frangipanyoul8r · 12/05/2024 23:59

Don’t they normally just knock on the door to see if you’re home and pretend to try and sell you something if you answer? I thought it was about seeing when you are or aren’t home rather than getting into your house there and then. I could be wrong though.

Lavender14 · 13/05/2024 00:54

Op I'd ring British gas and enquire if it was a legitimate call. And I'd also log it with 101 incase you aren't the first person with suspicion. Regardless it would be wise to practice increased home security for a while going forwards.

Kachew · 13/05/2024 01:38

Louise303 · 12/05/2024 23:40

We had something very strange happen a few years ago a week after an annual gas check. A man knocked on the door with a clipboard and said he had some questions after the check. I told him from upstairs I was ready to get in the bath and could I answer from the window. He said no so I said well I will answer them on the phone if you ring me now I am in a robe and its quicker than me getting dressed. He said no I will call back and left quickly in an old muddy jeep. I rang the housing association who said they did not send anyone and the department that do the gas checks said the same. The man never came back he left too quick for me to get a number plate I was on my own that day and wonder what he really wanted. Our street always have the checks in the same couple of weeks and if I had been downstairs I would of let him in. I probably would of believed him and not even asked for a badge especially as he knew we had a gas check prior to him coming.

This could have been Corgi, the gas regulating body, doing an audit. We had a letter requesting they come and do some checks after our last gas safety check, I couldn't make the appointment date but the HA said it was basically Corgi checking the engineers were doing everything they should.

Irridescantshimmmer · 13/05/2024 04:42

It will be the MOP ( meter operator ).

The company that owns the meter, read the meters and pass the readings onto suppliers.

Fishwiife · 13/05/2024 06:04

could have been someone looking for a dog to steal?

Trixiefirecracker · 13/05/2024 07:29

Yes, let’s jump to the worst possible conclusion….he wanted to steal the dog! That didn’t happen. He actually just went and read the meter. Like he asked to do. Probably mentioned about the dog because he has had bad experiences coming in to homes with animals as most posties, meter readers etc have had. None of this says scammer!

tuvamoodyson · 13/05/2024 07:40

Any time any utility company have been coming here, they ask if I have a pet, and, if so, to please keep them somewhere safe in the house. Asking if you have a dog is not evidence of a scammer.

gillefc82 · 13/05/2024 08:09

Kachew · 13/05/2024 01:38

This could have been Corgi, the gas regulating body, doing an audit. We had a letter requesting they come and do some checks after our last gas safety check, I couldn't make the appointment date but the HA said it was basically Corgi checking the engineers were doing everything they should.

Show quote history

Corgi doesn’t exist anymore (it’s now the Gas Safe Register) and they don't typically get involved in the checking of meter installations, but more for gas fixtures/fittings, e.g. boilers, cookers etc.

OP - I worked for BG for 17 years and this sounds like a typical visit they would arrange to check meter is safe, operating correctly and has not been tampered with. Suppliers have a strict regulatory obligation to have a visible eyeballing of the meter by them, or one of their appointed agents, every 3 years for the reasons above.

To ease any worries, contact BG as they will have details of the Third Party they subcontract to for your area and will be able to verify that it was legitimate.

Louise303 · 13/05/2024 08:17

Kachew · 13/05/2024 01:38

This could have been Corgi, the gas regulating body, doing an audit. We had a letter requesting they come and do some checks after our last gas safety check, I couldn't make the appointment date but the HA said it was basically Corgi checking the engineers were doing everything they should.

Show quote history

Hopefully it was them we got no letter and he said he was from the housing association.

Newheadche · 13/05/2024 08:26

I had the very same happened few months ago.
Someone knocked on our door and said he came to read the gas meter.
I let him in, as the meter is in the kitchen shoe cupboard.
It was winter and heavy rain outside around 6.30pm.
I didn’t ask for any ID card, as he had something dangling on a lanyard but it wasn’t visible what.
i took him in as he walked into living room being lead into kitchen, he noticed DH sitting on the sofa.
He walked into the meter cupboard and I was there too with him and I noticed he pretended to look at the numbers, he didn’t even look on it properly and just walked out!

I realised this must been a scammer and posted immediately on our local FB page to warn people.
A lady posted 20 mins later that her daughter opened and asked for ID and he wedges his foot in and forced himself inside, however brother was upstairs and quickly run down and the bloke run out! So yeah, perhaps because DH was there I was saved! I also rang the company and they said there is nobody in the area to read the meters at that day.

Trixiefirecracker · 13/05/2024 10:04

Newheadche · 13/05/2024 08:26

I had the very same happened few months ago.
Someone knocked on our door and said he came to read the gas meter.
I let him in, as the meter is in the kitchen shoe cupboard.
It was winter and heavy rain outside around 6.30pm.
I didn’t ask for any ID card, as he had something dangling on a lanyard but it wasn’t visible what.
i took him in as he walked into living room being lead into kitchen, he noticed DH sitting on the sofa.
He walked into the meter cupboard and I was there too with him and I noticed he pretended to look at the numbers, he didn’t even look on it properly and just walked out!

I realised this must been a scammer and posted immediately on our local FB page to warn people.
A lady posted 20 mins later that her daughter opened and asked for ID and he wedges his foot in and forced himself inside, however brother was upstairs and quickly run down and the bloke run out! So yeah, perhaps because DH was there I was saved! I also rang the company and they said there is nobody in the area to read the meters at that day.

That’s not really the same is it? 🧐