Trading Standards - Meter Reading Scams

31st October 2025

There have been more reports of doorstep scammers who say they work for Scottish Power. They tell the householder that the meter readings they have supplied to the company are wrong and they have used more gas and electricity than normal.

They ask to enter the property to check the meter.

One couple who experienced this scam were immediately suspicious as they were not customers with Scottish Power. After telling the callers to leave, they phoned Scottish Power and their own utility company, who both confirmed that they had not sent anyone to read their meter.

There have also been similar reports of scammers who say they work for SGN or another utility company and ask to enter properties to read meters or check boilers.

Cold caller have also claimed to work for Scottish Gas, saying they are carrying out tariff checks on addresses that might be most affected by rising energy prices. They ask householders for personal details and payment information.

How to Avoid
Scottish Power state on their website that their meter readings and inspections are carried out by Calisen metering services. All readers are required to carry an ID badge which will show the company name ‘Calisen Metering', a photograph, the reader's name, expiry date, reference number and Calisen phone number, 0345 612 2121 - which you can call to confirm their identity.

Always verify the identity of a cold caller before dealing with them. If a cold caller claims to work for a particular company, close the door and, rather than phoning the number on the caller's ID card, look up the company’s number on their official website or in an official phone directory. Legitimate callers will be happy to wait while you perform these checks.

SGN advise that all of their employees and contractors wear a visible photo ID badge. You can call them free 24/7 on 0800 048 2438 to check that a caller genuinely works for them.

Never feel obliged to answer the door to a cold caller - it is your home and you should not let anyone in unless you feel comfortable.

Report any suspicious behaviour to Police Scotland on 101 or 999 in an emergency.
Report scams to Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000 or via scamwatch.scot.

Sign up for Neighbourhood Watch Scotland Alerts to stay up to date with what is going on in your community: www.neighbourhoodwatchscotland.co.uk

Find out more
Police Scotland: www.scotland.police.uk/doorstep-crime-and-bogus-callers
Trading Standards Scotland: www.tsscot.co.uk/priority-areas/doorstep-scammers
Advice from SGN on dealing with bogus callers: www.sgn.co.uk/help-and-advice/bogus-callers
Information from Scottish Power about meter readings and inspections: https://www.scottishpower.co.uk/support-centre/meter-reader-visits