Kajave warns residents about dubious home electrical inspections

Residents in Kainuu have reported people offering electrical equipment inspections at their homes, but distribution network operator Kajave does not carry out such checks, Yle reports.

Loiste’s customer service has received several calls from people who said the visitors cited the age of their electrical installations or the need for periodic inspections. According to the callers, some visitors claimed to represent Kajave or the distribution network company. Loiste says it has no evidence about whether the company’s name is being misused, or whether the visits are sales efforts or potentially criminal activity.

Kajave customer manager Jari Rusanen said the company only services or replaces customers’ electricity meters. It does not inspect sockets or other electrical equipment, replace main electrical panels or deal with solar panels. Rusanen said similar activity has been reported elsewhere in Finland.

Residents should ask visitors to show identification and be careful about whom they let into their homes. Kajave plans to notify customers of visits in advance by text message. Its contractors and partners are Enerke and Länsi-allianssi; anyone unsure whether a visitor represents Kajave or one of those companies can check the installer’s name with Loiste’s customer service.

Kajave plans to replace about 20,000 electricity meters in Kainuu this year and over the following two years. It has already sent customers text messages about the free installations, and says customers should check that their phone numbers are up to date.