It’s so easy to do, isn’t it? We see something new, or that we don’t understand, or especially that seems to good to be true, and we want to make sure it’s not a scam. That’s 100% the right thing to do. I still remember seeing NHS Covid scam text messages, targeting older and more vulnerable people, at the time they were the most isolated. It still makes me sick to my stomach.
With government schemes like Eco4 and GBIS, the idea is to reach every single person who qualifies for the free upgrades, so they know their options. This does mean online and in person marketing.
There sensible things you can do to make sure anyone you speak to or meet is legitimate. Here are our suggestions:
– Always check their ID – see who they are and which installation company they are representing
– Look them up. The most reputable installation companies will be registered with your Local Authority, who govern part of the Eco4 scheme. You can check reviews from previous customers as well
– Look up the scheme. Ofgem as well as your Local Authority have a lot of online information
– Ask a friend or family member to help you. If you would prefer a second pair of eyes or ears, invite your neighbour over
If this all checks out, you should be confident the company you are looking to engage are legitimate. If you need additional reassurance, maybe ask to speak to a previous customer as well. Jumping onto Facebook will not give you any more information. It will likely just increase your fear, which in this case could rob you of a warmer home, lower bills and an improved property value.