NOTTINGHAM is among the top ten UK hotspots for a £7 million organised fraud targeting people who have prepayment electricity meters.

More than 2,370 people in the city are thought to have bought illegal electricity top-ups from doorstep sellers for a reduced price.

However, they end up having to pay twice, as suppliers detect an unofficial sale when a customer next attempts to top up at an official sales outlet.

Nottingham has the ninth highest number of top-up scam victims nationally.

The Top-up Safe campaign, run by Energy UK and Crimestoppers, is visiting Nottingham on Tuesday to warn customers and highlight the problem.

A reward of up to £10,000 is offered by Energy UK through Crimestoppers to anyone who can provide information leading to the arrest and conviction of criminals. Call anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org.