18th April 2012

WEST DORSET: Beware the bogus energy saving device

A WARNING about a telephone scam has been sounded by the county’s trading standards after tip-offs from worried residents.

The scam focuses on consumers fears over rising energy charges by promising to deliver an energy saving device which will save up to 40 per cent from bills.

But Dorset County Council’s trading standards officers are urging consumers to be on their guard against ‘cold callers’ selling the bogus devices. They have received complaints from people who have bought the devices only to find them electrically unsafe and posing a fire risk - as well as not saving any energy.

Consumers are called from people claiming to be working with their energy supplier, offering a plug-in money saving device for £99.

Ivan Hancock, DCC trading standards service manager, said the callers appeared very credible, often citing the consumer’s details including their energy supplier and some, or all, of their debit or credit card details.

He said: “These unscrupulous businesses appear to be operating a scam, from outside the UK, by targeting older people who may be attracted by any solution to rising energy costs.

“Given the experiences nationally we believe there will be many more consumers in Dorset who have been targeted than we know about.

“One person in West Dorset is in a mess and we have someone looking after them. We’ve also had calls from people who knew about the scam or realised it was a scam when they were called.”

He added: “We advise consumers against buying goods or services over the phone as a result of a cold call and to avoid the use of money transfer services, unless they are sending money to a relative or friend, as these payments are not traceable.”

So far five ‘suppliers’ have been named: 1 Stop Marketing Solutions, ITC Development Corp, Power Saver, Athico Ltd and Sorbet.

The companies use an accommodation address in London and appear to be based in the USA or India, although the devices have been posted from various UK post offices, said Mr Hancock.

A further twist is a caller claiming to be from a ‘claims management company’ offering to send a compensation cheque for between £2,000 and £3,000 to previous victims of the scam.

Victims are told to buy a UKASH voucher for between £100 and £300 then call back with the voucher number, with the promise a cheque will be sent once the number is received.

Anyone who has responded to these calls should contact the Citizens Advice consumer service on 08454 04 05 06 or Action Fraud via their website www.actionfraud.org.uk

They should also contact their bank to stop any debit or credit card payments. If they have received a device they should stop using it and dispose of it carefully.

WEST DORSET: Beware the bogus energy saving device

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