In the new year, suspected fraudsters are once again trying to take energy customers by surprise - by telephone and at the front door.
Stadtwerke Gießen (SWG) is warning of two scams in connection with the supply of energy. Some customers are receiving repeated calls from a number in Hamburg. The callers claim to be agents who are co-operating with SWG. As such, they would like to talk about adjusting the electricity prices. In the city centre, someone goes from door to door and pretends to be an employee of SWG. He offers a supposedly 20 per cent cheaper deal compared to the current contract.
"Basically, these are familiar methods," explains SWG company spokesperson Ulli Boos. Which doesn't make the matter any less annoying. That's why Ulli Boos sticks to his tried and tested advice: Simply hang up on the phone and end the call immediately at the door. "We strongly recommend not disclosing any personal details and certainly not letting anyone into your home with such a request."
Request for help
As is so often the case, SWG also learnt about these current attempts at fraud because customers contacted them and described the cases. "We are extremely grateful for such tips," explains Ulli Boos and promises: "As soon as we learn that dodgy characters are up to mischief, we will warn them."
Victims of attempted fraud can contact SWG via various channels and briefly describe their experiences: by phone on 0800 2302100 (free of charge from all German networks), via WhatsApp to 0151 15213066, by email to info@stadtwerke-giessen.de or in person at the SWG customer centre on Marktplatz.