Electric Meter Number Scam

[Feierabend 1,136]

Heads up: We've been cold called twice in the last week, being asked to give them our electric meter number (Stromzählernummer) under the guise of changing to a cheaper supplier - although the caller's German was so appalling that it was hard to be sure what exactly they were offering.

Dear Google instantly came up with various scams from about 2020 onwards. Also I checked with our company, who said of course this is not how they do business. 

Do not reveal the number and your address to such callers.

 

 

[fraufruit 41,938]

Out of curiosity, what could they do with your electric meter number or are they asking for further information as well?

 

Thanks for the PSA.

 

ETA - I just told Himself about this and remarked that it would be something his 97 year old dad might fall for. He replied, "Yes, but I don't think he knows where his meter is." 

[El Jeffo 42,120]

Apparently, the name and meter number are all an unscrupulous individual needs to register you for a new electricity rate with a new provider.

 

https://www.wochenendspiegel.de/neue-masche-betrug-mit-stromzaehler-nummern/

https://www.t-online.de/finanzen/news/unternehmen-verbraucher/id_85759544/vorsicht-vor-anrufen-von-vermeintlichen-stromanbietern.html

[LeonG 14,796]

I suppose if they have your name, address and meter number they can try to transfer your account. I suppose they'd need to know the name of your current company as well.

[El Jeffo 42,120]

5 minutes ago, LeonG said:

I suppose if they have your name, address and meter number they can try to transfer your account. I suppose they'd need to know the name of your current company as well.

 

You'd think that they'd need at least a few more data points, but according to the articles I linked, they don't.

 

Things that make you go "hmmm"...

[fraufruit 41,938]

What about payment details?

[Feierabend 1,136]

Yes, just google Stromzählernummer Scam and you get the info. from several sources. They're looknng to get commision.

My OH took the first call and actually gave the number, because we had just sent off the electricity meter reading and he thought it was a genuine call. Until they started asking for the address - um, why wouldn't our supplier also have our address already!

[Feierabend 1,136]

They've just phoned again!

[El Jeffo 42,120]

7 minutes ago, Feierabend said:

They've just phoned again!

 

Tell them to fuck right off. Like, all the way off. And when they get there, they should fuck off some more.

 

 

[Feierabend 1,136]

And again.

They don't understand the F word! Noted the number - is there a scam line one can report it or is it not worth the effort?

[LeonG 14,796]

1 hour ago, fraufruit said:

What about payment details?

 

They could put a made up account number if one is required because your provider is not allowed to withdraw anyway without a SEPA so when you get your letter from your "new provider", they will send you a form to fill out for SEPA and if you don't, they will just send you bills in the mail.  

[fraufruit 41,938]

1 hour ago, Feierabend said:

And again.

They don't understand the F word! Noted the number - is there a scam line one can report it or is it not worth the effort?

 

Report them to your current provider.

[Metall 14,513]

What I always do is start asking THEM for lots of details - their company, then their personal name, then personal address.

Usually by the address they start asking ME why I want to know - and I laugh and tell them I am sending all of this to my lawyer to make them pay Abmahnung!

Usually makes them go away.

[kiplette 8,676]

OK we keep getting called by a company wanting to offer us better rates, thing being the first chap's rates are worse than the Stadwerke currently offer, so we said thanks but no thanks, and then today a woman rang to find out why we refused, and was quite strident and pushy, so I just put the phone down.

 

It's not Betrug - the first one sent an email because I asked him to so I could check the rates he was offering, and Nowenergy is a real firm, and the offer was directly from them, it's just really annoying.

 

Is cold calling from a broker allowed? I thought cold calling was not OK in Germany? 

 

Anyway, if they are alllowed the least they could say is - we think we can offer you great rates on your energy, is now a good time or can we call at a more convenient time? 

[keith2011 2,572]

1 hour ago, kiplette said:

Is cold calling from a broker allowed? I thought cold calling was not OK in Germany? 

 

My understanding is that cold calling is forbidden in Germany though they will sometimes try to make out  they are doing a survey or they use a foreign number! Whatever it is cold calling and it is forbidden so anyone doing it is unlikely to be reputable.

[skinnypuppy 87]

Perhaps I've misunderstood: Are "the first chap" and the "woman" with the company from which you requested an e-mail? If so, legally you made first contact and it's no longer considered cold-calling.

[kiplette 8,676]

 

'The first chap' was the cold caller. I fell for his nonsense (they make it sound like they have been officially charged with calling all Stadtwerke customers), came to my senses before agreeing to anything and asked for an email which I could read at my leisure rather than a text requiring an instant response which was his preferred option. He rang back the next day as agreed and my other half said 'thanks but no thanks' and that was fine. Friendly man, crap offer, we refused it, all good, except that cold calling is irritating. It did force me to have a good look at the contracts we have and decide if we should do anything about it all, so on balance I was kind of glad he'd rung.

 

Then this week the pushy woman rang and wanted to know why we had refused and was rude and pushy, talked about her rubbish new co-worker and how he'd not done his job properly and that was for me a step too far - I was busy doing nothing and her intrusion into my happy day was unwanted and very jarring. So I put the phone down.

 

'They keep calling' is possibly an overstatement. I was miffed when I wrote that. At least I can just say bugger off with your cold calling next time, so thank you.

 

Does anyone know of a good comparison website for this stuff? There are so many companies out there offering power, and so many companies acting as brokers, it's a bit of a jungle.

[LeonG 14,796]

18 hours ago, kiplette said:

Does anyone know of a good comparison website for this stuff? There are so many companies out there offering power, and so many companies acting as brokers, it's a bit of a jungle.

 

I've used CHECK24 a few times. Be aware that the price tends to be fixed for a year or two but if you don't cancel in time to get out, they might raise your price quite a bit.

 

[Gambatte 897]

25 minutes ago, LeonG said:

I've used CHECK24 a few times. Be aware that the price tends to be fixed for a year or two but if you don't cancel in time to get out, they might raise your price quite a bit.

 

I like check24 very much. Apart from being a comparison website, it also store your information for various stuff, like all your many insurances (car, Hausrat, Zahn, Reise, whatever ). I understand there are reasons why some people don't like this, but for me handyness beats the fear of information leak.

 

I read here some time ago that calling the energy provider directly can give you a better contract than what find on a comparison website, but also on the website of said provider.

[theGman 3,516]

I've used check24 for years now, hopping around every year or two between different providers for internet, electricity, car insurance and even credit cards, rental cars and shopping.

 

As for electricity, well, prices are currently falling...I don't really want to got locked into a 12 month fixed price contract whilst prices are falling. I'm thinking of trying out rabot.charge. I'm hoping that, even without a smart meter, I could benefit from falling prices. And if prices go back up...strompreisbremse!