SWG warn against fraudsters

Currently, suspected fraudsters are once again up to mischief in Giessen. Their aim is to take advantage of energy customers.

The attempts to defraud innocent citizens of their money at their front door or over the phone are continuing. However, the methods are changing: A man is currently posing as a debt collector who claims to be working for Stadtwerke Gießen (SWG). "A case has already been reported to us where someone has paid a mid-three-figure sum," explains Ulli Boos, company spokesperson for SWG, explaining the unpleasant situation and adding: "We don't send employees through the streets to collect outstanding debts." His recommendation is therefore not to engage in a conversation and to close the door immediately.

Another, already familiar scam

This advice applies without reservation to another, already familiar scam that other suspected fraudsters are currently using in Giessen: They pretend to be employees of "Energieversorgung" or SWG. Sometimes they show a fake SWG service card. They ask their potential victims to give them access to energy bills. The data obtained in this way enables them to conclude new energy contracts for the people concerned. "In the cases described to us, the men act very aggressively and brazenly," explains Ulli Boos.

Also on the phone

Other customers reported dubious calls from different numbers with the dialling codes 040 and 03221. The callers also pretended to be SWG employees and aimed to find out customers' meter numbers and meter readings. "Don't give out any data and ideally just hang up," recommends Ulli Boos.

SWG ask for such incidents to be reported

SWG is doing everything it can to protect people in the region from such attempts at fraud. By informing the public when they become aware of them. To do this, they also rely on the support of the people affected. This is exactly what Ulli Boos is asking for: "Every report of such a fraud attempt helps us to publicise the matter and thus protect others from it." Various channels are available to inform SWG about attempted fraud at the front door or on the phone: by telephone on 0800 2302100 (free of charge from all German networks), by email to info@stadtwerke-giessen.de, by WhatsApp to 0151 15213066 or in person at the SWG customer centre on Marktplatz.