Stunell Backs WaterVoice Warning to Stockport Residents

10.02.02am GMT Thu 17th Feb 2005

Stockport residents have been warned by a watch dog to be careful they are not getting conned on their water rates.

Many Stockport residents have been approached on their doorstep by charlatans offering assistance in cutting their bills. The fraudsters have requested fees of up to £100 for this service which is free and readily available elsewhere.

Hazel Grove MP, Andrew Stunell, is supporting WaterVoice North West's warning to Stockport residents.

Mr Stunell said:

"It is important that local people know how to minimise their water bills without shelling out unnecessary money to door to door tricksters. For example, many local residents who have particularly low water usage would generally pay less if they used a meter."

"To make matters worse, many people have reported that the information they were given by these 'door to door salesmen' was inaccurate."

WaterVoice and Andrew Stunell recommend that residents should contact United Utilities or WaterVoice directly if they would like advice on how they could reduce their water bills, and don't fall prey to door to door double dealers.

ENDS

Note to Editors

1)WaterVoice North West is the local water watchdog. Customers can contact WaterVoice by phone, email, in writing or via the website:

WaterVoice North West, 9th Floor Bridgewater House, Whitworth street, Manchester, M1 6LT

Email: Northwest@watervoice.org.uk

Web: www.waterwoice.org.uk

Tel: 0161 2366112 / 08457 056316