by Bill Cunningham
Out of the Blue a Green Scam
We know already, don’t we, that probably any phone call or text or email from a stranger is suspect. In particular if offering a special deal. Like saving a fortune by greening our home. And not with flowers!
Scammers live off media articles about grants. And in the confusion of qualifying for a gov-ernment contribution towards the cost of ener-gy efficiency is where scammers help. Yeah! Like the “discount” for an instant yes.
…Over 19 million adults have been targeted by a green scam, new research by Citizens Advice finds……with over 5 million estimated to have already fallen for one in the UK in 2021……
No one age group is being hit hardest for it’s in essence anyone with a house to heat who is the target. In scamming the approach largely differs by age grouping, with older people hit via phone calls and under 55s via email. As-sumption being that over 55s are less savvy with smart phone / computer technology.
A sure scam sign is us being put under much pressure to buy. By a claimed expert in home insulation say. In essence a salesperson we’ve allowed into our home after a call from a com-pany with an offer of a free survey by their surveyor/ specialist in eco whatever . It’s then that our existing insulation will be declared out of date/ dangerous/ against the law/ etc. Any-thing to scare a vulnerable person witless. Normally such installations will cost several times the true cost of a professional job. Much more than the other written quotes we should have got from trusted traders, with their price stated in the contract and payable in instal-ments, preferably by credit card.
Maybe we’re told that our gas boiler will be outlawed by the spring, but never fear, we qualify for a grant to get an electric one, to make us legal and save ££s. Just sign here. Hear warning bells ring? Let’s remember that buying slowly is safest.