BRITISH Gas is urging St Helens residents to be vigilant following a spate of bogus caller incidents in the borough.

The warning comes as electricity advisers from British Gas are preparing to visit homes in St Helens, providing information.

Julian Anderton, British Gas Area Manager, said: "We have had reports of people visiting homes claiming to be from British Gas, sometimes calling in the evening and apparently asking people to sign forms.

"As our advisers will be in the area over the coming weeks discussing electricity savings, it is important that every householder protects themselves against bogus callers by remembering basic security checks.

"These include attaching your door chain before answering, never handing over cash in advance or allowing callers to drive you to the bank and remember that genuine callers will always be happy to wait while you check identification."

He continued: "We also have particular services for elderly, disabled or chronically sick customers.

"Known as the Electricity Special Needs Register, the voluntary scheme includes a password system and gives customers who are blind or partially sighted extra security by allowing us to agree beforehand a personal codeword, known only to us and the customer. This can be quoted before customers even agree to open the door.

"If callers can't prove who they are, then as the saying goes, 'if in doubt, shut them out'."

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