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overly suspicious?

(11 Posts)
Oldwoman70 Wed 07-Aug-19 12:42:21

Just had a phone call from a very polite young man saying he was calling from some company (whose name I didn't catch). He said they were doing free government led "heat loss" checks on houses in my area - basically they would check my windows and leave me with a report detailing how much, if any, heat is being lost through my windows - together with details of finance help.

I stopped him mid-flow and told him that I never allowed any tradesperson into my home unless I had called them and that no doubt after the inspection I would be inundated with calls offering to replace my windows so thanks but no thanks.

Anyone else had these calls? Are they genuine? Am I just being overly suspicious?

Minniemoo Wed 07-Aug-19 12:43:35

I always refuse them. I tend to just hang up. You did the right thing!

Sussexborn Wed 07-Aug-19 12:50:56

If such a service exists it would probably mentioned on the you gov uk site?

So many scams around it’s better to be safe than sorry later!

EllanVannin Wed 07-Aug-19 12:56:16

If you don't recognise the phone number don't answer it.

Pantglas1 Wed 07-Aug-19 12:56:30

I’ve had several Oldwoman70 and I think they want to sell you double glazing.

They offer a free service of measuring how much heat is lost through your windows currently so that they can then sell you the latest, most efficient/expensive dg, which at our age would never be cost effective!

Daddima Wed 07-Aug-19 13:22:19

I have passed many hours on these calls! ( I don’t get out much)
‘ Now, your name isn’t Kevin, tell me your real name and we can talk’.

Followed by , ‘ Just tell me what you’re flogging, and we’ll take it from there’

M0nica Wed 07-Aug-19 13:26:32

We have been getting them on and off for years. Never worked out what the product they were selling was, beyond home insulation, as we have a fully insulated loft, the house doesn't have cavity walls, so they cannot be filled and cannot replace our windows because the house is Listed.

There are grants for insulation and I think that offer is real, but I think you need to be on Pension Credit or a Disability Benefit to get any help.

Like others. if I want work done, I ring them. I do not respond to cold calls.

whitefrog632 Thu 08-Aug-19 07:07:11

I think you did a good thing. Don't waste your time talking to them anymore. Just ignore the next time they contact you. I have heard about similar scam calls since few years ago on the internet, like at whycall.me and another similar complaint board websites. You might want to block their numbers, too.

Sara65 Thu 08-Aug-19 07:12:34

I think you did the right thing

RosieLeah Thu 08-Aug-19 07:25:04

I wonder whether they just select numbers randomly from the phone book, or do they do a bit of research first and only call old ladies who live alone. That information is on the voting register.

Nannytopsy Thu 08-Aug-19 08:02:40

I pinned one down this week. “An energy survey of your post code “.
I asked if it was a government survey? No. Local authorities? No. Energy suppliers? No.
Who then? Our company and manufacturers of ... at which point she was stopped.
Yes they will be selling windows, loft insulation, add-ons to your solar panels etc etc etc.