A £10,000 reward is being offered to try to track down the perpetrators of an electricity meter top-up scam sweeping Burton and South Derbyshire.
The area is one of the ‘hotspots’ for the offence, with 1,077 incidents reported in Staffordshire, 210 in Derbyshire and 217 in Leicestershire.
The fraudsters target people who pay for their electricity using a pre-payment meter, calling door-to-door and offering to sell them credit for their meter.
However, experts are warning that anyone who buys credit at the door risks being hit in the pocket, as energy firms are able to detect illegal top-ups and demand the cash they are owed.
Christine McGourty, from industry body Energy UK, which has launched the Topup Safe campaign, said: “Our campaign has reached thousands of pre-payment customers but there is more work to be done.
“Incidents are still increasing in some areas and customers are losing money as they fall victim to this crime.
“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 getting involved in a crime, you will end up having to pay twice. The only people benefitting from this crime are the fraudsters.”
Pre-payment customers are urged to ensure they only buy top-ups from official outlets, namely PayPoint or Payzone outlets or Post Offices.
Andy Baker, from the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA), said: “The response when this fraud was first highlighted was tremendous and more people are now getting wise to the risks of getting involved in this scam.
“It’s clear though that these are determined and organised criminals who will keep trying to find vulnerable victims to exploit.
“If you know someone who might be tempted, talk to them and warn them.
Don’t let the criminals win at their expense.” A £10,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the fraudsters.
Anyone with information about the scam is asked to contact Crimestoppers anonymously by telephoning 0800 555111 or via its website at www.crimesto ppers-uk.org.
