Fraudsters pretend to be gas company employees and commit increasingly daring crimes, warns Polska Spółka Gazownictwa. The company reminds that its employees have no right to collect any fees directly from customers.
According to Polska Spółka Gazownictwa, in recent months an elderly woman who was visited by a man pretending to be a gasworks employee reported to the police headquarters in Świdnik.
This is how scammers work
“The purpose of the visit was to inspect the house for gas leaks. During the meeting, the man asked personal questions, suggesting the installation of a gas sensor for PLN 300. The woman, counting on the man's good intentions, agreed to perform the sensor installation service. Unfortunately, to her surprise, the man received the required money left the apartment without completing any expected installation,” we read.
In Wrocław, the police were looking for a man who pretended to be a gasworks employee and visited customers to check the condition of gas stoves in the apartment.
“According to the services, the man could have defrauded 60 people for a total amount of at least PLN 120,000. In this case, after triggering a false alarm, the man suggested replacing the entire gas stove or the gas sensor. Cheated customers most often decided to install a gas sensor, which it was sold to them for a price several times higher than the nominal price. Moreover, seeing where the interlocutors were hiding the money, the fraudster distracted them and stole it,” we read.
This is how fake gas workers workPSG
No fees are charged to customers
Polska Spółka Gazownictwa would like to remind you that neither the company's employees nor external companies commissioned by it collect fees directly from customers. In case of any doubts, the company recommends contacting the building administrator or calling the emergency number 112. From Monday to Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., you can also verify the identity of employees of Polska Spółka Gazownictwa by calling the nationwide Contact Center number: 22 444 33 33.
The company also emphasizes that its employees do not provide services related to inspections of internal gas devices and installations. “In accordance with applicable law, the owner or administrator of the building is responsible for the technical condition of internal installations and they are responsible for selecting the company that will remove any identified irregularities,” we read.
“The victims of fraudsters are most often elderly people living alone. That is why it is so important to talk to our loved ones: parents, grandparents or other elderly family members and make them aware of the threats they may be exposed to,” it appealed.
Main photo source: PSG