MP Warns of Electricity Doorstep Salesmen

11.04.21am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 11th Sep 2006

MP Vincent Cable is warning residents about doorstep salesmen from the company Southern Electricity who are again trying to bluff their way into people's homes and take advantage of the situation to get people to switch their electricity and gas supplies.

In the last three years Vincent Cable has repeatedly approached the chief executive of the company (who claims that these are 'rogue' salesmen) and the consumer watchdog, Energy Watch, which seems powerless to stop the practice. The company's salesmen appear to be targeting the elderly and have been very active in Hampton.

Vincent Cable said: "I no longer believe that the company is making any serious effort to improve its practices. Southern Electricity are quire unscrupulous. Their salesmen ask to inspect meters; then once they are inside the home, they relentlessly push their sales pitch, rubbishing their competitors and bullying customers to sign up".

"My advice to residents is: do not allow these people inside the house. Once you establish that they are from Southern Electricity, shut the door".

"I have also asked the consumer watchdog why it is being so passive and ineffectual instead of standing up for consumers".