Financial expert warns of new scams involving electricity meters – How to protect yourself from data misuse!

Gemäß einem Bericht von www1.wdr.de warnen die Verbraucherzentrale NRW und die Stadtwerke Duisburg vor einer neuen Betrugsmasche im Energiebereich. Bei dieser Masche geben sich die Betrüger als Mitarbeiter von Energieanbietern aus und sammeln die Kundendaten. Anschließend nutzen sie diese Daten, um im Namen des Verbrauchers einen neuen Energievertrag abzuschließen.

Consumer advice center warns of new scams

The NRW consumer advice center advises consumers to always remain skeptical in the event of an unexpected visit or call and not to reveal any personal data. Instead, the meter readings should be read yourself and reported to the electricity supplier. An unexpected visit should be checked with the electricity supplier's customer service.

What to do if you have fallen victim to the scam?

If you have fallen victim to the scam, you should cancel the unauthorized contract as quickly as possible. The cancellation period is usually 14 days. It is also recommended that you file a report with the police.

Call the energy provider and ask again

Stadtwerke Duisburg recommends that consumers check the employee ID and company if an electricity meter unexpectedly visits. You can also ask the electricity supplier's customer service whether the visit was announced and whether it is actually an employee of the electricity supplier.

Caution is advised

The energy law expert from the North Rhine-Westphalia Consumer Center emphasizes the importance of mindfulness when dealing with personal data. Consumers should be aware that fraudsters are constantly developing new methods to obtain sensitive information. A healthy dose of skepticism and caution can help protect yourself from fraud.