A utility company worker has been suspended after knocking on the door of a 90-year-old woman and persuading her to switch to a new energy deal.

Dorothy Spittle, who lives in sheltered accommodation in Bellenger Way, Kidlington, agreed to sign paperwork which switched her gas and electricity supply from E.ON’s StayWarm account to ScottishPower.

Shortly after the cold call, the pensioner called ScottishPower to cancel the arrangement.

Mrs Spittle’s daughter Anne Brown said it would have cost her mother almost £20 a month more to revert to her original StayWarm deal, until we raised the matter with ScottishPower.

Mrs Spittle said: “The man didn’t force me to sign, but he was very persuasive and said if I did sign it would save me money.”

Mrs Brown, 68, of Wise Avenue, Kidlington, is furious her mother received the call, about a month ago.

“I don’t think utility companies should be cold-calling at sheltered housing complexes in this way,” she said.

“Mum still cooks and shops for herself, but people of her age can get confused.

“The block is run by Charter Community Housing, and when there was a warden living on the premises she used to chase these kind of people away.

“Companies should not be allowed to approach the elderly in this way — it’s simply not fair.

“We are now trying to get ScottishPower to agree they won’t charge anything for an erroneous transfer to get mum back on her original deal.”

According to Mrs Brown, the StayWarm tariff cost £67.20 a month. However, it would have cost £85.93 a month to switch back to her old deal.

Jane Holmes, a spokesman for ScottishPower, said: “We have suspended the agent concerned until a full investigation is carried out.

“We apologise to Mrs Spittle for any upset this matter has caused and confirm we will transfer her back to her previous supplier.

“We will not bill her for anything.”

She added: “The sales manager for this agent has revisited the area and has reported that this particular site was difficult to identify as sheltered housing.”

The EnergySure code of practice, an industry-wide charter, stipulates “where there is sheltered housing, approval must be gained from the warden or other person in authority before making any approach to the residents”.

Gareth Holmes, a spokesman for Charter Community Housing, said: “We strongly advise residents not to open their doors to unknown callers and all have access to an emergency alarm system in their property, which can be used to contact us directly if they have any concerns."