There’s been a fair few reports surfaced in the past few days of a bogus caller operating in the Brownhills area last Thursday (5th September 2019), saying he’s from British Gas telling householders he’s signing them up for smart meters.

British Gas don’t do that and therefore the caller is lying.

West Midlands Police said:

Bogus Caller – Not British Gas

Dear citizen,

Please be alert!

On 5th September 2019, a bogus caller was in the area of ‘The Avenues’ in Brownhills claiming to be from British Gas asking to book time slots to install new smart meters.

It has been confirmed by British Gas that they do not send anybody out to do this and did not have anybody in the area.

The bogus caller is described as:

– a white male,
– approx 5’6″ to 5’8″,
– late 40s to early 50s,
– dark hair going grey,
– wearing black trousers, light blue shirt
– carrying a black zip folder, handheld device, laminate letters and I.D. card

(these items can assist in looking professional)

Please be on alert and let friends, family and neighbours know.

Contact police on 101 for non-emergency or 999 in an emergency and do not let anybody into your home if you do not know them or allow them to return again at a later time. Always check with any utility companies if you are unsure.

For other non-emergency incidents you can also use the online chat feature via the west midlands police website.

Please visit our web link here for more information about bogus callers

Thank you

Please tell your relatives and neighbours about these kinds of callers, and impress upon them how important it is not to be menaced into giving money or your details for services  at the door, no matter how plausible the people demanding cash are. Genuine companies will always contact you by other means.

Please,  if you have any further information relating to this, or any such incident, or if you’ve witnessed something suspicious, please contact West Midlands Police by dialling 101 (999 in an emergency, obviously) or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.