Be warned - electricity card scam will prove costly

Luton is one of the UK’s worst hotspots for electricity meter scams.

Just 11 other towns had a higher number of criminals offering cut-price energy to those with prepayment meters, it was revealed on Wednesday.

The scam is of particular concern because, to obtain the fake top-ups, people must let the gang members into their homes to access their electricity meters.

Reports of threatening behaviour have been received by some energy companies which are urging people to steer clear of those involved. Police have also made arrests in connection with this activity.

Christine McGourty, director of Energy UK which wrote the report, said: “Since launching the Top-up Safe campaign in September, energy companies have been working together to tackle prepayment fraud.

“However, the numbers of incidents continue to rise.

The people selling these illegal top-ups are criminals and although it might seem like an easy way to save money, not only will you be letting a criminal into your home, you will end up having to pay twice.