Queenslanders are being warned to beware of a new brand of scamming.
According to energy distributor Energex, men wearing hi-vis shirts are doorknocking Brisbane homes in an elaborate ruse to get inside.
The men claim to represent Energex in a ploy to gain “personal information” or to gain access to properties.
The scam “is something all people should be on the lookout for at any given time,” an Energex spokesperson told 96five. “Scammers operate 365 days a year.”
“Dodgy pair”
Energex area manager Chris Duncan said that the scammers were operating south of Brisbane this month.
They were attempting various approaches to scam homeowners.
“One of the homeowners notified us of two men in hi-vis shirts who were doorknocking and claiming to be from Energex, offering cheaper power if they were able to get their hands on personal and financial documents,” Mr Duncan said.
“Another dodgy pair said they needed to get inside a resident’s home before Energex could start upgrade works in the area.”
Mr Duncan said that thankfully the homeowners did not comply with the scammers’ requests, but that it was possible other residents had been duped by the “spiel”.
“Disturbing”
Energex spokesperson Ruth Durrant told Brisbane’s 4BC radio that there’s been “quite a few incidents” of such scamming this month.
“It’s really disturbing,” Ms Durrant said.
“We’re used to getting text message scams and email scams, but the fact that people are actually turning up on someone’s doorstep claiming to be someone they are not is really scary.”
Gaining entry
Ms Durrant said that the scammers are requesting to come inside people’s properties in a ruse involving “investigating” the home for “jobs” they are doing in the area.
“But it’s certainly not something that we’d ever need to do,” Ms Durrant said.
“All the work we do is out on the street and also, we’re always really clearly identifiable.”
Ms Durrant warned that the scammers were preying on those who did not know which energy retailer they used. Energex is not an energy retailer.
“And that’s when they’re asking people to hand over personal documents,” she said. “And that’s a real worry.”
Spotting a scam
Chris Duncan said there are a few simple checks people can do to confirm the legitimacy of someone claiming to be from Energex.
“Firstly, we’ll never, ever cold call on the phone or knock on a door asking for personal or financial information,” – Chris Duncan, Energex
“Firstly, we’ll never, ever cold call on the phone or knock on a door asking for personal or financial information,” he said. “Anyone who gets a call or visit like this should close the door or hang up.
“Secondly, all Energex staff carry official identification and will produce it when asked. We do use trusted contractors to carry out some tasks, and they also have ID that they’re happy to show on request.
“If any customer or property owner is not convinced, they can call Energex to confirm legitimacy.”
Further, Mr Duncan pointed out that since Energex is not an electricity retailer there is no reason for an employee to request to see a bill or other financial documents.
Mr Duncan said that anyone with further information or anyone who has home security footage of any of the alleged scammers, should contact CrimeStoppers.
Alarming stats
From 2021 to 2022, two thirds of Australians aged 15 years and over were exposed to a scam, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
“According to Queensland State Government stats, nearly $60 million was reportedly scammed out of Queenslanders last financial year and $233 million from people around Australia,” an Energex spokesperson told 96Five.
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Feature image: Getty
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