Bogus gas inspectors, the scourge of the Costa del Sol, have been busy in Nerja once again.
The so-called gas inspectors, very often carrying identification papers, go from door to door preying on the unwary and vulnerable, particularly foreign residents and the elderly. They insist on carrying out an inspection of the gas installation, which often literally means just ‘looking’ at it, change the rubber tube on the gas bottle and then demand an often large sum of money.
One Nerja resident was recently charged almost €450 for this ‘service’. The correct charge, from an authorised company, would be in the region of €40. A bit of a difference.
Once again.
Gas installations do need to be inspected, by law, every five years. However:
Inspections are only carried out after you yourself contact an appropriate company and make an appointment for an inspector to visit your home.
The basic rule is, if anyone knocks at the door claiming to be a gas inspector, DO NOT LET THEM IN. If you are in any doubt whatsoever, and some of the so-called inspectors can be quite ‘persuasive’, call the Local Police or the local Town Hall for advice.
Often, but by mo means always, asking such callers to wait while you check with the police or Town Hall will solve the problem, they will make an excuse to leave or will say that they will call back later.