I am posting this as a warning to everyone to beware of this scam which appears to have been around since 2010!!!!!! Do these people never give up?
This really happened to me yesterday Monday 30 January 2012:-
Please everyone read this and be aware of this scam. This morning I had a phone call from someone who said he was from the Head Office Of The Electricity Board in London - he tried to get details from me and I told him to call me back later today as I didn't trust him. He's just called me and because I refused to give him my debit card number and argued that he did not need this information as it has nothing to do with plugging a device into a wall socket for a 40% reduction on our electricity bill and asked for his address and phone number - he would not give a phone number and became abusive and asked what I was going to do about it and told me to piss off!!! He gave the name of Leonard and an address of 20 Broadwick Street, West End, London W1F - when I said there must be more to the post code he added 8HD on the end. I've just done 1471 to get the phone number and it came up with 01 68983 21453.
He maintains he must have the information from you to confirm where they are sending the device which is absolute rubbish because he already confirms your name and address with you at the beginning of the conversation.
It is my belief that they try to target pensioners because prior to confirming my date of birth he asked if I was a pensioner! Cheek!
He also tried flattering me by saying that he wasn't asking for the details on the back of my card as he knew I must be an educated woman. I told him I certainly was and I would not be giving him the details! He also attempts to lull you into a sense of security by telling you that the call is being recorded (which is what genuine companies do). I bet my conversation wasn't being recorded especially when he started being abusive!!!! When I queried how he knew we were prompt at paying our bill he said they kept records!!!! I really don't think so! I also asked why it is that our supplier wouldn't offer the discount.
The postcode is actually W1F 8HT - and the address does exist. Do not divulge any information even if he/they use a different name to the one given to me.
Note there is no such thing as 'The Head Office of the Electricity Board'.
How on earth can you plug something into an unused socket in your house and receive a 40% reduction on your electric bill in any case?
As I was prepared for him ringing back I immediately told him that he talked too quickly and when he was trying to talk over me I told him not to do that. I was quite surprised at how forceful I was being. I know I was annoying him by saying this sort of thing to him and checking his details with him. When he was talking to me in the evening call there was excessive noise from people in the background so I asked if he was ringing from his office and he said was so I told him he should tell his colleagues to be quiet!
Please do not be taken in with this phone call - I have copied and pasted a report here which I found on the internet - be very very careful.
January 2011- 'Reductions in Electricity' Scam
A Bromsgrove resident has reported receiving a telephone call from a woman stating that she could reduce her electricity bills by 40% for the rest of her life. The woman caller confirmed our residents’ name, address, and that her bills are paid by Direct Debit. Confirmation was sought of the residents’ date of birth, which was given.
The woman caller then requested details of the residents’ bank and bank card expiry date, stating that these details were needed in order to get the free device, which could be simply plugged in, to gain the 40% discount.
Our resident did challenge the woman at this point and when she wasn't satisfied with the response, she asked to speak to the Supervisor.
The male Supervisor gave a name, and stated he was from the Head Office of the Electricity Board (which no longer exists). He provided a contact telephone number of 0208 432 9528 telephone icon. However our resident advises that the telephone number was not showing on her telephone display, but did show that the call was “International – Out of Area”.
The resident correctly advised the Supervisor that she would call back if she was interested. However, the details have now been reported to the Police and to Trading Standards, in addition to Bromsgrove Council.
The District Council’s Fraud Services Manager Marie Wall said: “There are always telephone scams taking place that have the potential to affect anyone. In this case, our resident did the right thing and checked the number, but unfortunately not before giving out a date of birth. If you have any concerns over who you are talking to, please stop the conversation. Any genuine company will be more than happy for you to call them back once you have checked out their telephone number. You can also call Consumer Direct on 08454 040506 telephone icon with your concerns.
“Scammers do seem to target pensioners and more vulnerable people, so please ensure that members of your family are aware of these criminal practices and how to deal with them.”
I really feel the need to share this with you all and hope you will tell all your friends and family about this.
