EON insulation cold calling

[Crapstone]

I was at my parents house when a young man knocked the door holding a stepladder. He said he was from EON and that through the government they had to check houses for insulation. My parents told him that they had already been sorted out and that the house hadn't long been insulated, both the roof and walls. He didn't see me, but he was insisting that he had to check the attic despite what they said and see it for himself. He was shortly sent packing complete with his ladder following him closely behind.

 

The shocking thing is that my parents couldn't see the harm in it and they'd seen him going from door to door and that the government and companies do have such things. Well yes they do but you don't let a stranger into your home just because he has a badge and a stepladder! My Dad said he wasn't stupid and the lad wasn't trying to sell anything! Well not yet he hadn't but once in the attic he could have done anything as my parents are in no fit state to check what he would have said. He could have soaked the insulation, removed roof tiles and then comes along someone offering to put it right.

 

They think I'm paranoid. I think I'm flamin' well cautious and that cold calling with a stepladder is a step too much. Literally. I'll be calling EON and Trading Standards tomorrow to see if there is such a campaign and complaining about tactics to gain entry to homes occupied by vulnerable people.

[Bang!]

Window cleaners need a licence. Yet this offers a far greater risk so should offer at least equal protections.

[E.ON Company Rep: Malc]

Hi Crapstone

 

You're absolutely right to be concerned.

 

Whilst we do currently have a number of offers on the go regarding insulation, we're not calling on an ad hoc basis at individual properties to check they're fully up to scratch. Also, anyone calling on our behalf must follow strict codes of practice.

 

In particular, they must show an identity card with our name, their name, a unique reference number, a colour photograph, the date the card runs out and a phone number to check the identity of the caller.

 

In most cases, they'll also be wearing E.ON branded clothing and more than likely driving an E.ON marked vehicle.

 

I would definitely encourage you to report this. If it's a rogue caller we need to know so we can take it up with the relevant authorities. Equally, if it's someone acting on our behalf but not following the above guidelines, this needs to be nipped in the bud too.

 

 

Malc