Fraudsters offering electrical inspections have come up with a new way of working.
Account manager Janne Hartikainen tells that Vantaa Energy Electricity Networks cases have come to our attention where electrical repairs have been demanded in the name of the electricity network company. Fraudsters have especially targeted the elderly.
In fake electrical inspections carried out with an aggressive tone, it has been discovered, for example, that a dangerous electrical center or electrical system has been found, for which the fraudster has been able to offer an unreasonably expensive repair solution.
“Neither we nor our partners visit anyone’s doors to inspect power stations. The need for electrical repairs always starts with the customer himself,” Hartikainen emphasizes.
Fake needs
Hartikainen says that the electricity network company has heard of cases where the meter replacements made by the electricity network companies have been used as the reason for falsified needs to renew the power station.
For example, someone pretending to be an electrical inspector has announced that the electricity grid company requires the switchboard to be changed so that the new electricity meters can be changed.
Hartikainen emphasizes that this is not true. According to him, there is no need to replace a functioning and safe power station.
According to Hartikainen, an electrical inspection is necessary if you want to find out the safety of your own electrical system and the possible need for repairs.
Electrical renovations should be planned and done in peace and carried out by carefully selected companies, he says.
“Appropriate electrical inspections are carried out by many reputable operators.”
Also elsewhere in Finland
Hartikainen says that he has received information that similar scams have also taken place elsewhere in Finland.
According to him, it is difficult to assess the extent of the phenomenon. Vantaa Energia Sähköverkot has become aware of individual cases.
“In general, you could say that you hear a very small part of these things. It’s hard to believe that we would hear about everything,” says Hartikainen.
“Unfortunately, it seems to be a well-established practice of some operators to use the good name of the electricity network company for dubious purposes.”
A disgusting phenomenon
Hartikainen describes the phenomenon as disgusting. He shared a warning about the phenomenon earlier On Linkedin.
According to Hartikainen, it is first of all important for customers to be aware that this kind of activity takes place.
If you yourself become the target of a scam, you should refuse the inspection and report your experience to the electricity network company, advises Hartikainen.
It is not always known who acts fraudulently, but sometimes it is.
For example, a year ago Vantaa Energia Sähköverkot was in direct contact with an operator that it heard had fraudulently used the name of the electricity network company in its customer visits. According to Hartikainen, it worked, and the electricity network company has not received any new feedback from the operator in question.
A wider phenomenon
There are even more widespread scams regarding electrical inspections.
Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes) announced in November of cases in which consumers have been offered electrical inspections of properties and told that they are related to the equipment mapping done by Tukes.
According to Tukes, cases have come to light at least in Pirkanmaa, Uusimaa and Central Finland.
The agency reminds that it does not conduct electrical inspections of households or use external service providers for them.
The bulletin encourages you to contact Tukes about suspicious inspections. The agency can report suspected crimes to the police.