Customers Urged To Be on The Look Out for Bogus Callers

As the winter draws ever colder, the gas experts from Northern Gas Networks and their operating partners United Utilities and contractors Balfour Beatty are a welcome sight to those Tyneside families who have reported a problem with their gas supply. The cold weather however, has led to a spate of bogus callers trying to gain entry to the homes of vulnerable and elderly residents. Now, Northern Gas Networks are urging people to be on their guard against bogus callers posing as employees claiming to be from the “gas board”.

The advice comes after a spate of distraction burglaries throughout the North East where thieves conned their way into homes to steal cash and valuables. The thieves responsible sometimes claim to be working for a gas utility and ask to enter the house to investigate a gas escape.

Denise O’Donnell, from the United Utilities customer team, constantly meets the public as part of her role as a Customer Liaison Officer. She stressed the importance of ensuring householders ask for and check ID closely before allowing anybody into their homes. “Just because someone says they are from a gas company and are wearing what looks like a uniform doesn’t mean that they are who they say they are,” said Denise. “Always check their identity card and if you are still in any doubt do not let them into your home no matter how convincing they are.”

Northern Gas Networks pipes gas to over 2.5 million homes and businesses and has around 37,000 km of gas pipe to maintain in its area which stretches from the River Humber to the Scottish Borders and across to Cumbria. Even with so many customers and local pipe networks, it is still very rare for a gas engineer to call without an appointment.

Chris Gorman, Director of Northern Gas Networks urged householders to be extra vigilant during the current cold spell. “Please be especially careful to properly check the identification of callers, particularly if there are road works taking place nearby. It is very unusual for us to call unannounced, so please be on your guard. Our message is quite simply check the callers are who they say they are – with us and not by calling any number they give you – and if in doubt keep them out,” said Mr Gorman.

Photo shows Customer Liaison Officer Denise O’Donnell and Jackie Whittaker with their uniforms and ID cards