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Advice about bogus callersThursday, 15 February 2007 Bogus callers are part of a highly organised, professional criminal fraternity. They pose as utility workers, tradespeople, police officers and sometimes even charity workers. They come in all shapes and sizes: men, women, working singly or in pairs - sometimes even children have been used in the deception. However, what they all share is an ability to convince an older person on the doorstep that they have a genuine reason to enter the home. Once inside they will use a ruse to distract the older person's attention whilst they or an unseen accomplice search the home for money and valuables to steal. This type of crime is not petty and can result in perpetrators netting hundreds of thousands of pounds from their victims. The examples below represent a wide selection of scams used both in the UK, Europe and America. They are divided into distraction burglary and rogue trader scams. It should be noted that rogue traders would also take any opportunity to commit a distraction theft should the opportunity arise. h3. Water scams * I'm from the water board and I'm here to check the pipes * I need to check the water/turn the water off (because I'm laying pipes up the road) * The water is unfit for drinking. I need to come in and check it Water scams are the top scam used in the country despite the fact that the Water Board ceased to exist in 1989 and water companies rarely make house calls. Once inside, the bogus caller asks the victim to go upstairs or into the kitchen and turn on the tap. Thus disctracted, the bogus caller or accomplice is free to search the home for money or valuables. The front door is invariably left open to allow the accomplice to slip in unnoticed. h3. Utilities * There has been a gas leak in the area and I need to check your supply * I have come to read your meter As with the water scam above, this ruse gives the bogus caller a method to distract attention. This leaves them or an accomplice free to search the home for money or valuables. You can contact the police on 0845 456 4564Next: Annual Village Show cancelled Previous: Community transport guide available |
