Scammer, I need ?7 for my meter

[gaylad]

Ondine Road/Grove Vale - At 6am this morning my doorbell was rung several times, thinking it must be an emergency I answered the door still wearing my pajamas. I was extremely annoyed to find someone trying the classic scam "I'm your neighbour, living at (nearby address but not too near), I woke up to find my electric out and need ?7 for my meter".

She was a pale white woman, about 5'5'', 40ish with a lined face and slightly rough looking. I told her this was a classic scam and ringing doorbells at 6am to try this on was unacceptable; she just pretended to be outraged so I closed the door on her.

Very annoying, particularly as some of the kind people on my road are highly likely to give her money if they are new to the sort of scammers that try these classics, so this is likely to be a good money earner in my area.

[Dulwich Born And Bred]

Very poor form of her and at 6am as well.

Thank you for the warning . I refuse to open my door if I am not expecting anyone.

[pommie]

I would just say "don't you have a mobile so you can ring a relative/friend to help you"

[JohnL]

In Wales I'd never have refused to answer a knock on the door - but in London I do it all

the time.

Sad.

A real neighbor would bring tea and ask for sugar :)

[the-e-dealer]

What time is it acceptable to ring the doorbell of a neighbour if theres an emergency?

[Twirly]

If you know them, then I doubt there is a wrong time. But it's a bit different calling on a complete stranger at that time of the morning.

[gaylad]

Any time is okay if it is a *real* emergency and you are a neigbour. Begging for ?7 is never going to be an emergency and in this case is a scammer taking the mickey.

The only time I would ring my neigbour's bell at an unsociable time would be to let them know there is a reported gas leak/burst water mains/smoke coming from their house. Anything else is either my problem, a matter for emergency services, or something that can wait until they are normally up and about.

[the-e-dealer]

If my neighnour was on a pre payment meter and kids to get to school and no money for the meter then I would help. But Id be a bit grumpy at 7! I must admit - not doubting what anyone says but most thieves and scoundrals operate a lot later in the day as they like a lie in and wont go out in rainy weather!

[singalto]

If she was genuine, why didn't she go to her actual neighbours?

I call out of the upstairs window if someone rings the bell at an odd time.

[Cyclemonkey]

There was a woman doing that in Camberwell when i lived there a few years back. Her story was more elaborate involving a daughter who was on kidney dialysis.

I offered to walk her to Kings Colleage hospital to get help for her daughter, she abruptly disappeared.

For those that are unsure is this is a scam- a few facts about Pre payment meters:

1. There is ?5 of emergency credit on pre payment meters after the money has run out

2. electric meters will not disconnect over night , even if the money has run out

3. Energy companies will not fit a pre payment meter if someone is dependent on electricity for health reasons - for example if they need oxygen overnight.

4. If they have lost their card/key and need to top up they can ring their energy compnay and they will do what is known as "an ememrgency wind on" to give them enough enenrgy until a repalcement card/key arrives.

[Vik]

Cyclemonkey Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> There was a woman doing that in Camberwell when i

> lived there a few years back. Her story was more

> elaborate involving a daughter who was on kidney

> dialysis.

>

> I offered to walk her to Kings Colleage hospital

> to get help for her daughter, she abruptly

> disappeared.

>

> For those that are unsure is this is a scam- a few

> facts about Pre payment meters:

>

> 1. There is ?5 of emergency credit on pre payment

> meters after the money has run out

> 2. electric meters will not disconnect over night

> , even if the money has run out

> 3. Energy companies will not fit a pre payment

> meter if someone is dependent on electricity for

> health reasons - for example if they need oxygen

> overnight.

> 4. If they have lost their card/key and need to

> top up they can ring their energy compnay and they

> will do what is known as "an ememrgency wind on"

> to give them enough enenrgy until a repalcement

> card/key arrives.

Not to be pedantic but as a pre payment meter user I can confirm that they do sadly disconnect overnight, happened to us on many an occasion.

I'm afraid I too would err on the side of caution if anyone knocked on my door at 6am. We have gone without electric all day or even overnight in the past when money has been particularly tight, I wouldn't dream of knocking on the door of someone I don't know.

[Cyclemonkey]

Hi Vik - gas ones do indeed disconnect overnight. The majority, but not all, of electric ones now have "no disconnect periods" at night.

[DulwichFox]

Before they disconnect

The law states that the energy company must try to contact you before they disconnect you.

Your energy company must issue you with at least two written notices - a reminder and a warning. The second notice must be issued at least 6 business days after the first notice. The notices should state:

the reason/s for disconnection

the date when you will be disconnected

what your rights are

how to contact EWON

the payment assistance programs available to you

After they send you the second notice, your energy company must make reasonable attempts to contact you, to give you the chance to make a payment or enter into a payment arrangement. They may contact you by phone, email, fax or in person.

Your energy company must advise you in writing of your option to enter into a payment arrangement to avoid disconnection, if you are experiencing financial difficulties.

Your energy company must propose a payment plan which takes into account your capacity to pay, any arrears owing and your consumption.

Not sure about Pre-Payment.

Could be dangerous to disconnect Gas as appliances could be left 'ON' and leak Gas when reconnection takes place.

http://www.ewon.com.au/index.cfm/help-for-customers/disconnection-restriction/

DulwichFox

[Dulwich Born And Bred]

My neighbours have my number , they would contact me first rather than knock on my door and no electric at 6am is urgent . I have gone without electric many times ,it's not life or death .

[Cyclemonkey]

Fox - those rules are for "credit " meters.

If you have pre payment there are certasin rules the energy suppliers have to abide by in terms of responding to faults and replacing lost top up keys and cards. However if you fail to top up you have disconnected yourself and so the rules you quote do not apply. It is a bit rough as pre payment emters are often used by poorer people and are fitted by energy suppliers as an alternative to disconnection for those in debt so you could say, if you were cynical, energy suppliers are giving people the means to disconnect themselves.

[Alex K]

"Give and ask questions later."

About a month ago I heard a woman scolding her children in the Camberwell McDonald's -- they seem to have demurred at some action that she took -- "It doesn't matter if she could have paid for it herself! She asked us, she said she was hungry, and Christ told us to give when we have. Always give when you have! We are so lucky to have!"

Hearing her I was so abashed, and felt so low -- I have forgot this too often.