Warning from the county council

Energy conscious consumers are being warned to be on the look out for bogus cold callers selling devices they claim can cut energy use.

Hertfordshire Trading Standards is warning that the devices, which are being sold for up to £99 each, could pose a fire and electrocution risk. The devices also offer no energy savings.

The cold callers speak to unwitting victims and appear genuine, often possessing details of their energy supplier and sometimes some or all of the digits of their credit/debit card.

The plug-in-the-wall devices have been sold by a number of different ‘companies’ nationwide and can be identified by the distinctive green box and instruction manual in broken English.

Associated with this first scam, a second bogus ‘claims management company’ operation has been uncovered.

The claims management company tells consumers that they have been sold a faulty energy saving device and could be eligible for up to £3,000 compensation.

To qualify for compensation, consumers are told to buy a Ukash voucher of around £300 to cover admin costs and to wait for their compensation cheque to arrive. However, this is a scam and victims do not receive any money after sending through the Ukash voucher code over the phone.

If you think you own one of these devices or have been called by the bogus claims company contact Hertfordshire Trading Standards via Consumer Direct on 08454 040506.