Scammers target Capital in electricity meter top-up con

THE Capital has been revealed as one of Scotland's hot spots for a scam targeting people with prepayment electricity meters.

A nationwide awareness campaign entitled Top-up Safe is warning customers to steer clear of the criminal gangs behind the doorstep scam, which offers electricity top-ups seemingly for reduced prices.

The campaign was launched this week following a recent report which revealed 1696 cases across all parts of Scotland, including 131 incidents in Edinburgh.

Customers are being offered 50 top-ups for just 25, but people end up having to pay twice - first to the criminals who pocket the cash and then to the energy company for the electricity they have used.

Energy companies are urging customers to only top up through official channels PayPoint or Payzone, and the Post Office.

Edinburgh was ranked fourth in the top ten affected hot spots.