MORE than 5,000 people across Hampshire have been conned by criminal gangs offering fake cut-price electricity deals in the past ten months.

Fraudsters go door-to-door flogging cheap top-ups for electricity prepayment meters.

The bogus deals are leaving hard-up customers out of pocket, as they then have to pay again to their supplier when the fraud is discovered.

As freezing temperatures bite, police are urging residents not to fall victim to the scam and leave themselves without the means to top-up their meter.

Inspector Mark Hull, from Hampshire Police, said: “It’s targeting people on lower incomes, who tend to use these prepayment meters.

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“This sort of con is funding criminal activities and criminal lifestyles, which is obviously a concern. We’re seeing an increase in cases and we’re one of the worst places in the country at the moment.”

Southampton is in the top ten hotspots for the scam in Britain, with 2,730 incidents in this year alone.

It’s prompted a police crackdown on those responsible, along with an awareness campaign.

Representatives from electricity companies have taken to the streets of the city with Hampshire Police to warn people about the con men.

Insp Hull added: “We’re going to be running several operations over the next couple of weeks to tackle the people we think are involved across the city.

“As usual with these kinds of offers, something that sounds too good to be true often is.

“The energy companies don't go door-to-door selling cheap electricity top-ups to people with pre-payment meters so please don’t be conned.

“The only way you can buy a top up is from a recognised retailer, such as the Post Office.

“These people may seem very plausible when they come to your door but they are part of a criminal network and if anyone tries to sell pre-payment electricity top-ups at your door, let us know as quickly as possible and with as many details about them as possible.”

Industry watchdog Consumer Focus says the increasing number of conmen targeting prepayment electricity customers is a big concern.

Audrey Gallacher, head of energy at the organisation, said: “It is very worrying that the number of people affected by this scam continues to rise.

“Thousands of hard-pressed households have already found their hard-earned cash ending up lining the pockets of criminals, instead of paying for their energy.”

Anyone concerned they may have been contacted by one of the fraudsters can call Consumer Direct on 08454 040506 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.