Scam-watch: bogus 'water board workers'

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Permalink Reply by Hugh on June 15, 2011 at 11:10

Thanks for this Abi.

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Permalink Reply by Harringay SNT on June 15, 2011 at 12:28

Some people are victims of bogus callers who obtain entry to premises in order to steal - this crime is called burglary artifice or distraction burglary. These callers seem to concentrate on the homes of older people - for example, sheltered housing and housing estates designed for older people, which may be identified by ramps and hand rails by the front door. They often disguise themselves by dressing smartly and claiming to be from the council, police, health, gas, water or the electricity company. If you have any doubts about a caller, refuse entry and call 999, even if a caller has shown an Identity Card.
The alarm systems which are linked to a telephone to enable someone to call for help, and which are often found in sheltered accommodation, may also be useful to call for help if you feel that your security is threatened.

Bogus callers can be convincing and persuasive and may occasionally use children under the pretext that they need to retrieve their ball from the garden, use the toilet or have a drink of water. They can also turn up as builders or gardeners and try to trick you into paying for unnecessary work. It is important not to pay in advance and to decline any offer to drive you to the bank to withdraw money. You can ask them to call back when you will have someone with you. These are all excuses to gain admittance.

Don't leave your handbag or wallet unattended in any room where a caller may need to enter, stay with a caller and keep all other doors closed. People often keep their money in the dressing table, wardrobe, spare handbag or sideboard drawer - all places a bogus caller is likely to check.

If the behaviour of the caller makes you suspicious the action you take will depend upon the circumstances. You could ask them to leave, call a neighbour, phone the police etc, or you may have to wait until the person has left before calling for help in order that you do not put yourself at risk of an assault. However, it is important that you contact the police immediately. You should not feel embarrassed that you have let someone into your home.

Keep a note of all reference numbers and phone numbers by the front door to make checking easier. Cards for this purpose may be available from your local Age Concern, home beat police officer, or neighbourhood watch co-ordinator.

Or you can make your own card, as follows:

• Gas Company Tel No....

• your customer reference no........

• Electricity Company Tel No.....

• your customer reference no.....

• Local authority Tel No......

• Telephone Company Tel No........

• your customer reference no.....

• Water Company Tel No....

• your customer reference no.....

• Police Station Tel No: 0300 123 1212......(note: do not use this number in an emergency as the response time is unlikely to be as fast as that for a 999 call).

Don't sell or purchase anything from a salesperson at the door - this includes furniture and valuables or any other possessions. The chain on the door should be used only when you are about to check a caller or open the door. If it is left on at other times it will prevent someone entering with a door key - for example a home help, a visitor or neighbour who holds the spare key. Good practice - checklist of what to do When you wish to answer the front door remember - put the chain on; check the identity of the caller by using the door viewer or if you find moving about difficult, you could look through a window; if you are not sure about the identity of the caller call through the door or an adjacent window and ask the caller to say who he or she is and why they are calling; or open the door, still keeping the chain on and inspect the caller's pass. NOTE all callers from the water, gas, or electricity company or local authority, who may need to enter your home, should have a pass to identify themselves. Gas, electricity and water companies are all required to offer special services for their customers of pensionable age. One of the services is to arrange for you to have a personal password so that you will know if the caller is a representative of the company. To register for these services you will need to contact the company, and information on how to do this is on the back of your bill. If you are not completely satisfied that the caller is who they say they are, ask for some other form of identification such as your customer reference number - these can be found on the respective bills from the companies. BEWARE OF BOGUS CALLERS Although all crime is an unpleasant experience for all victims, in my opinion, there is one particular type of crime that comes pretty near to the top of the despicable list. Which one? It's the crime carried out by the bogus caller. The police terminology for the crime is burglary artifice burglary to enter as a trespasser and steal, artifice trickery. However, most people would use the term con man or woman.  Such a simplistic term tends to distance them from the devastating effect this cowardly crime can have on the victim, who tends to be the more vulnerable and trusting member of society. Listed below are some tips that may help you recognise a potential bogus caller. If you have some elderly relatives and neighbours encourage them to read the tips. Bogus callers will: Call unannounced Usually work in pairs They will not generally have any type of uniform or arrive in any official van They will not be willing for you to study their identity (if they have any) Will try and make you feel under pressure If they gain entry into your home, one will stay with you whilst the other one will go to another part of the house If they are working alone, then they will ask you to do something which separates you from them Official callers will: Try and make an appointment where possible. They will have your personal details on record and will be able to write/phone for an appointment Will only be too happy for you to look at the I.D. they carry Will usually wear a corporate rate uniform, and may have an official van Will understand if you do not let them in, and should not put you under pressure If in the house, will only go to one point, e.g., the gas or electric meter, kitchen stop cock Will want you to stay with them What you should do: As soon as there is a knock on the door STOP and THINK. Who is it? Am I expecting them? Do not let them in unless you are 100% sure they are who they say they are. IF IN DOUBT, KEEP THEM OUT!!! Finally, if you have a visit from anyone who you think is a bogus caller, or you see people down your road who might be preying on your neighbours, then ring 999, and take a description and details of any vehicles that might be involved. Anyone working officially will not mind being checked by the police. For the victims of con men, or whatever they are called, life will never be the same again.

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Permalink Reply by Clive Carter on June 15, 2011 at 12:43

Well done Harringay SNT for posting this, I'm sure many readers will find this helpful.

I'm not a prime target for this kind of crime, but I'm recieving a lot of contact (multiple times a week) from similarly motivated people using another medium: phone calls from Indian Call Centres. Like the bogus visitors above, they are unsolicited contact for a range of dubious services – not only the old "you've got a problem with your Windows computer" scams.

I have had so many calls (I must be on a database that's being circulated in India) that I've lost all concern of appearing rude to them and am now quite assertive. I think that a fear of appearing rude inhibits some elderly folk who might otherwise have concerns about univited visitors.

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Permalink Reply by Liz on June 15, 2011 at 14:07

I was once v suspicious of two official looking chaps who were messing around with a front door on my street. I went out to speak to them, they showed me ID but I still wasn't happy so I did as Jono suggests above and dialled 999. The officials told me to go right ahead and didn't seem at all put out. Police arrived within minutes and spoke to the men. It was all legit but everyone seemed perfectly okay with my actions. I guess if people are legitimate, they won't mind people being extra cautious...(and no I didn't find out what the men were 'up to', let the conspiracy theories begin!)

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