FOLLOWING the report in the Winsford and Middlewich Guardian about a bogus caller robbing an elderly Winsford woman in her home, I too would urge readers to check the identity of all callers before letting them into their homes.
The days of the 'gas board' are long gone - with the energy market now open to competition, there are many gas and electricity suppliers operating and dealing with meter reading, for example. However, all of them will have identity cards and genuine representatives of companies will be happy for householders to check up on their identities.
Meter reading for British Gas is carried out by a company called AccuRead. Employees of AccuRead wear green uniforms and carry an AccuRead identity card with a photo and a telephone number (0800 393499) to verify identification.
British Gas also operates a password scheme which offers customers who are blind or partially sighted extra security by allowing them to agree a personal codeword, known only to the company and themselves. This can be quoted before opening the door.
Safety and distribution of gas for all suppliers is dealt with be Transco - their employees also carry appropriate identification.
If there is any doubt whatsoever about the identity of a caller, then you should refuse them entry and call the police - if in doubt, shut them out!
Collette Handley, British Gas
North West House
Gould Street
Manchester
Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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