As part of its commitment to helping out those most in need, Wales & West Utilities, the gas emergency and pipeline service, is helping protect visually impaired householders from bogus callers by adding Braille to operational colleagues identity cards.
The company, which runs the gas emergency service across Wales and the south west of England, is extending peace of mind and security to its blind and visually impaired customers by adding Braille to identity cards which reads ‘call 0800 316 0478 to check my identity’. All Wales & West Utilities colleagues carry identity cards which customers are urged to check before letting them into their homes.
Wales & West Utilities keeps a register of those most in need, which includes over 45,000 customers with some form of visual impairment.
Wales & West Utilities Priority Customer Manager, Elaina Cook, said:
“We are committed to: looking after the customers who need our support the most and keeping our customers safe and warm at all times.
“Adding Braille to our identity cards is our way of making sure we can communicate with as many customers as possible, and to make sure that they are kept safe from the risk of bogus callers. We urge any householder who has a visit from the ‘gas board’ to check the person’s identity by calling 0800 316 0478, if they are unsure. Genuine Wales & West Utilities colleagues will not mind waiting while these checks are carried out.”
If you are an individual who is registered disabled, chronically sick, a pensioner, or have any other specific needs such as hearing, sight or access requirements please contact Wales & West Utilities customer service team on freephone 0800 912 29 99.
Wales & West Utilities provides the gas emergency service across Wales and the south west of England. If anyone smells gas, thinks they have a gas leak, or suspects carbon monoxide poisoning, they should call us on 0800 111 999 and our engineers will be there to help, day or night.
The company is also carrying out multi-million-pound 30-year mains replacement programme, across Wales and the south west of England, which began in 2002. Old metal pipes within 30 metres of buildings are being replaced with new long-lasting plastic pipes with a lifespan of more than 80 years.