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Post by Plocket on Nov 23, 2006 18:43:09 GMT
I think I'm getting paranoid now about scams! I've just had a phone call from British Gas offering a new sort of cover for all our kitchen appliances, rather than just the gas ones, for a special price as we are "loyal customers". All I had to do was confirm my first name and post code. So does anyone know whether this really is legit, or if it's a scam and I've just signed away my soul? Ta! Px
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Post by JennyWrenn on Nov 23, 2006 19:28:24 GMT
Not had this call Plocket but I never give any info over the 'phone Speaking of British Gas I arranged for an engineer to call yesterday - apparently it is compulsory I have a new meter fitted to the outside of my wall - house is only 14 years old So an arrangement was made for him to visit yesterday between 5pm - 8pm I rushed home to make sure I was there for 5pm and guess what HE DIDNT SHOW There was NO PHONE CALL to say Sorry cant make it and today no phone call to Sorry didnt make it
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Post by MamIDdau on Nov 23, 2006 21:53:22 GMT
I don't give any details out over the phone. If they've phoned you, they should have all your details and you shouldn't have to confirm anything, they should tell you what information they have and if that isn't correct then they need to sort it out without you confirming anything.
If in doubt, get them to put it in writing and then you can verify it. The police can tell you if they are aware of any scams going on.
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Post by Jonah on Nov 23, 2006 22:25:31 GMT
I'm sure you will be ok Plocket, but I know what you mean, you get suspicious of all these calls. OH and I have sort of decided not to sign up to anything if they don't write to us, and that would only be with companies we are familiar with. If I were you I would call their customer services tomorrow to confirm it is legit if you are worried, just for your own peace of mind.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2006 7:51:03 GMT
I think I'm getting paranoid now about scams! I've just had a phone call from British Gas offering a new sort of cover for all our kitchen appliances, rather than just the gas ones, for a special price as we are "loyal customers". All I had to do was confirm my first name and post code. So does anyone know whether this really is legit, or if it's a scam and I've just signed away my soul? Ta! Px Sounds a bit fishy to me Plocket "Cold calling by telephone" - I'd check it out further if I were you - you should have 7 - 14 days to get out of what ever you've signed up for.
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Post by Plocket on Nov 24, 2006 9:28:08 GMT
They quoted my name and address to me, and said that we'd have paperwork through in seven days. OH seemed quite happy about it, especially as I didn't give any bank or credit card details.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2006 20:53:39 GMT
They quoted my name and address to me, and said that we'd have paperwork through in seven days. OH seemed quite happy about it, especially as I didn't give any bank or credit card details. P Watch out for the phone call in 3 or 4 days saying there's a problem with their computer and asking for you "just to confirm your bank details". FA x
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2006 22:49:21 GMT
It is a con, by obtaining your name and postcard, any energy supplier can take over your account and become your energy supplier without your consent or knowledge. It's called an erroneous transfer and it's a right royal pain in the butt. You may well find that you will start receiving bills from British Gas, which is never desirable as they are the most expensive supplier with the worst customer service in the world.
If you already buy your energy from BG it could have been another company trying to do likewise.
If this does happen to you, you need to go contact your supplier and they can start the process of taking back your account from BG or who ever has high jacked your account.
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Post by Chuckles on Nov 25, 2006 10:07:01 GMT
This sort of thing really annoys me, how can people be so awful. We always have our phone go to answer machine after 2 rings so don't talk to anyone I don't want to ;D
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2006 13:09:04 GMT
They quoted my name and address to me, and said that we'd have paperwork through in seven days. OH seemed quite happy about it, especially as I didn't give any bank or credit card details. Lots of these unscrupulous companies use old telephone directories Plocket
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Post by Plocket on Nov 25, 2006 14:15:36 GMT
Oh jeez I hope we don't have to go through all that rig and roll Woobats! Surely a new company will have to get us to sign a contract or something?
I think we are ex-directory Rita so hopefully it won't be that!
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Post by Jonah on Nov 25, 2006 14:29:57 GMT
This might be interesting reading Plocket. www.energywatch.org.uk/help_and_advice/problems_switching_supplier/index.aspI can't believe companies can take over your accounts without your permission! What happened to the idea of contracts and consent!!!!!! I hope you don't have any trouble. I did switch companies a few months back, talked into it by salesmen. Soon realised that we would rather be back with the others. Apart from a few glitches with payment allocations [they have to start you with new accounts once the old ones are cancelled for any time period] it got sorted by the original company quite quickly.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2006 20:04:24 GMT
Unfortunately it's not necessary to sign a contract so you can be taken over without your consent or knowledge as I said. I worked for an energy supplier some years ago so I know all about the pitfalls. We had a couple of calls from BG a few weeks ago. I don't know how they got our name or phone number, we're ex directory. We have never bought gas from BG at this address. We are also on the Telephone Preference Service list, so should not get any marketing calls. If you are bothered by marketing calls Google TPS and sign up, it's quick and easy and it works. The calls from BG were the exception, we get no calls now. The Mailing Preference Service, again simple to sign up for, stops almost all junk mail. Such a shame we have to go to such lengths to protect ourselves from this unwanted attention.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2006 20:06:48 GMT
I agree that the TPS is good - we hardly ever get direct sales calls (and when we do, I give them an earful !!).
Don't agree with the mail preference service comments though - signed up 3 or 4 years ago and still get mountains of the bloody stuff. I must throw away about 20 junk mails a week.
FA x
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2006 20:15:30 GMT
We are lucky don't get a lot of phone calls or junk mail, a lot of companies pass your details on to other companies i had a problem with my insurance company they passed it on and i had a call from someone selling hospital insurance. I tell anyone i deal with that i don't want phone calls or junk mail, so far this has worked. Ive also found that if anyone knocks on my door i say the property is rented they leave you alone or have done so far.
Karen
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Post by Jonah on Nov 25, 2006 20:32:17 GMT
I get on quite well with the postie and put a sign on my door saying no to anything other than personal mail. However she informed me that she had to deliver all the rubbish, because she was paid to do it! I have often toyed with the idea of collecting it up, sticking it in a big envelope and sending it in the post back to the P.O. Or once I was given an address for one of the companies that print a lot of it. If I can track that down I'd rather send it back to them and let them know how annoying it is.
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Post by sweetleaf on Nov 25, 2006 20:41:43 GMT
If the junk mail comes with a reply paid envelope, remove any preprinted address details (yours) and put it in the post to them, if we all did that, they would surely stop sending it!
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Post by Chuckles on Nov 25, 2006 20:45:03 GMT
Thanks for that woobats , both done on line, easy peasy ;D .
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Post by MamIDdau on Nov 26, 2006 10:23:06 GMT
I've registered our mobiles on TPS as well but around this time of year, boyf and I get calls asking us about new contracts. I tell them every year to bugger off.
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Post by netherfield on Nov 26, 2006 17:40:40 GMT
Watch out Aprilaydee,my OH got a call from someone saying they were Vodaphone,then sent some literature through the post,I rung Vodaphone who claim they have never heard of the company,what they are trying to do is take over your contract if it as expired.
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Post by Plocket on Nov 26, 2006 18:24:31 GMT
Thanks for that website Jonah - hopefully we won't need it but I've saved it to my faves just in case! It would seem that if it was a fake call making us transfer without knowing it, then we would be justified in asking to be transferred back because we would have been hood-winked!!!
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Post by Plocket on Nov 29, 2006 15:29:39 GMT
It's official - I'm paranoid!!! ;D
We've today had a letter from BG confirming our telephone conversation of last week! We aren't being scammed or whatever - phew!!!!!!!!!
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Post by sleepysunday on Nov 29, 2006 15:33:06 GMT
Are you SURE the letter is from BG? I wouldn't trust the letter head alone.
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Post by Plocket on Nov 29, 2006 15:34:47 GMT
Don't start me off again Sleepy!!!!! ;D
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Post by Chuckles on Nov 29, 2006 20:10:45 GMT
Give them a ring and put your mind at rest
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Post by Plocket on Nov 30, 2006 8:13:14 GMT
OH is going to double check this weekend!
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Post by magrich on Nov 30, 2006 22:23:42 GMT
another way to stop unwanted mail is to write' not known at this address' on the envelope and re-post it.
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Post by MamIDdau on Nov 30, 2006 22:31:50 GMT
I know netherfield, I tell them each year to bugger off.
Posties also get money for delivering junk mail aka "door to doors" they get paid a couple of pence a leaflet/letter so it's about £30/40 a week or so more for them to do.
There is an address you can write to to opt out of the junk mail but it may also stop charities writing to you too. Personally, I don't want charities wasting their money sending stuff to me asking for money because if I wanted to support them, I would anyway, I don't want them sending me stuff in the post trying to guilt trip me out of money. Which doesn't work anyway because I don't earn enough to give any away.
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