"Gas leak next door" conmen...

[watercooled]

Just something I caught a few words of on the news this morning I thought I'd mention in case you didn't know - apparently there is a group of people going round knocking at houses claiming there is a gas leak next door so they need to check your meter then helping themselves to the contents of your house. Probably pretty common-sense stuff but just a heads-up so they don't catch you off guard or whatever.

[Saracen]

Not had that one here (yet), but thanks for the heads up.

[Fornowagain]

I've gotten in the habit of asking for ID, can't be too careful.

[Flash477]

I'm always wary, but they wouldn't have much luck here, it's in the garage with no entrance to the house and could see what they are doing at all times

[Rob_B]

I've gotten in the habit of asking for ID, can't be too careful.

To be honest 99% of people probably don't know what a real 'gasman' ID looks like so I've always been wary, asking won't hurt but like most people would know if it was a laminated photoshop job?!

[Biscuit]

my gas meter is outside the flat in a little grubby room inbetween myself and the next door neighbours. They would be doing us a favour buy helping themselfs to whats in there though, it was there when i moved in and we ave already been told to get rid of it.

[jim]

To be honest 99% of people probably don't know what a real 'gasman' ID looks like so I've always been wary, asking won't hurt but like most people would know if it was a laminated photoshop job?!

That's what I hate. If somebody turned up at the door with a police uniform and a search warrant, I wouldn't have a clue what to do. How the heck would I be able to tell if it was a real warrant?

And this being the internet, people always say things like "You should telephone the police station to find out if it's genuine" and that sort of thing, but in real life it's impossible.

[tiggerai]

I'm sure if it was a real gasman who turned up unannounced (hell, they barely turn up Announced these days...) they wouldn't mind you phoning your gas provider to check. It's standard practice... anyone who wouldn't let you is up to something dodgy.

[chuckskull]

For the police, ask to see their warrant card, if you're not sure. http://www.thesite.org/homelawandmon...isawarrantcard

I'm amazed by how many people have never heard of it. The are legally required to produce it on demand, if they can't, dial 999. There is a caveat that it has to be practicable to do, so if you're resisting, being violent or something similar they are free to restrain you first. If the warrant card is real, the warrant is real.

For gasmen and alike it's a bit more complex as it's not as firmly regulated, but your provider will be able to provide you with examples if you ask. Most produce a "how to tell if this bloke is from our company" leaflet.

[Hicks12]

I want someone to try that here... next door is being refurbished still (was a store, kevin coopers motor store) and the gas is all switched off so would be pretty funny see how they try to lie to get in .

Eitherway, thanks for the heads up!.

[petrefax]

thanks for the heads up dude. i'm sure i'll see one soon

the area i live in is popular with retirees - me & mrs P. are probably the youngest on our street by a good 20+ years. as a result we get more than our fair share of conmen

it always amuses me when some chancer knocks the door expecting to be greeted by a little old lady & instead gets me, you can see the "does not compute...run away!"written all over their face

[BobF64]

my gas meter is outside the flat in a little grubby room inbetween myself and the next door neighbours.

I dont live in an area served by mains gas, so no fear there, but arent all gas meters outside the house?

Or is that just some that are?

[petrefax]

I dont live in an area served by mains gas, so no fear there

it would still be funny if someone tried it tho i'd love to hear how that conversation went!

AFAIK outside access meters is a fairly new thing (only on builds in the past 10 - 15 years at a guess)

[watercooled]

Glad to be of service.

My gas meter is in a cupboard under the stairs.

[Behemoth]

When we get people here to come and read the meter if I don't like the look of them, trust them forwhatever reason I send them away, genuine or not. I did have one cas where one bloke wouldn't part with his ID badge so I could phone to see if it was genuine so I sent him away with a flea in his ear.

If they are genuine I follow them out and watch them like a hawk, and where the meter is is rather awkward as there's a load of junk to get thorugh before you get to the meter so if they do try and take stuff and leave in a hurry, I'll know about it !

[Barakka]

That's what I hate. If somebody turned up at the door with a police uniform and a search warrant, I wouldn't have a clue what to do. How the heck would I be able to tell if it was a real warrant?

And this being the internet, people always say things like "You should telephone the police station to find out if it's genuine" and that sort of thing, but in real life it's impossible.

My wife once answered the door to a fireman (in full uniform) asking to check the smoke alarms, she asked for ID.... he pointed down the street to the fire engine.

She said that was not acceptable, there are fire engine Limo's you can hire now, real ID please... he promptly showed his real ID and commented she was quite right to ask for it.

Our Gas and Electricity meters are outside the front of the house so danger on this one for us