MP warns constituents about energy telephone scam

6th February 2014
MP warns constituents about energy telephone scam

Local MP Gordon Henderson is warning his constituents of a telephone scam that he fears is being targeted at the oldest and most vulnerable people in the community.

Mr Henderson explained that he had received an email from a friend who related a very worrying telephone conversation.

The email read as follows:

‘I have just had a phone call from “Tom” at the Environmental Care Agency who, he claims, is working in partnership with the government to try to clear up the mess caused by the energy supply companies.

‘Apparently I had been targeted as I am in the age range of 50 to 80. A quick google search while he was delivering this spiel revealed that there is no such agency so I told Tom to go away and put the phone down. He immediately phoned back and reiterated that he was working with the government and that as I was rude to him I would now be receiving a £2000 fine through the post.

‘This is obviously total nonsense but what bothers me is that they are targeting older people, up to 80 years of age, who may be conned out of money or at least intimidated and troubled by calls from this bogus agency.

‘Dialling 1471 to find the source of the call not surprisingly resulted in a withheld number.’

Mr Henderson said: ‘I am concerned about this incident for a couple of reasons. Firstly, how did the caller know that my friend was in that age group and who provided him with that information.

‘Secondly, plainly this scam is targeting the elderly because they are more vulnerable. My friend was astute enough not to be duped, but other people might be taken in.

‘I would urge anybody who receives a phone call from this organisation to put the phone down immediately. I can assure them they will not be fined!’