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Crime preventionMost people who come to your house are genuine, but sometimes people turn up unannounced with the intention on gaining access to your home. These people are known as bogus callers whose intentions are to steal your money and/ or valuables. These people are very convincing and can be smartly dressed. They may claim they are from the Council, Police, Water Board, Gas or Electricity companies or a charity like Age Concern. Some may claim to have had an accident or their car has broken down and /or need to use the telephone. These people can be very convincing and persuasive and may be men, women, or even children. You should always be aware when someone you don't know calls at your door : Remember - Look Lock: Keep your front and backdoor locked, even when at home. Stop: Before you answer, stop and think if you are expecting anyone. Check that you have locked any back door and taken the key out. Look through the spy hole or the window to see who it is. Chain: If you decide to open the door, put the door chain or bar on first. Keep the bar or chain on while you are talking to the person on the doorstep.( Normally, when the door is shut and locked, leave the bar or chain off in case you need to get out in an emergency.) Ask for and carefully check their identity card, even if they have a prearranged appointment (all genuine callers will carry one). Do they look like the person on the card? Is the name the same one as on your letter? Close the door while you do this. If you are not expecting them and they have not shown you an identity card, do not let them in until you have checked and double checked that the caller is genuine. You can do this in three ways:
Check: Check their details before you let them into your house. If in doubt keep them out If after these checks, you have any doubt about the caller, especially if their came unannounced, tell them to call back later when someone can be with you. You can also tell them to contact you by letter to arrange a more convenient time. Only let them in when you are absolutely sure that they are genuine. Genuine callers will always be happy to make an appointment to call and will carry an identity card with a photograph. They won't mind waiting if you want to phone and confirm their identity or want to rearrange the appointment. Bogus Callers sometimes work in pairs or even teams. They are often well organised. One will distract the person while the other searches the house for money or other valuables. They can be men, women or children (or often in combinations) Watch out for anyone who says there in a hurry. Don't let them pressure or confuse you. If you think a bogus caller has called at your door, report it to the police immediately - dial 999 and tell them what happened. Try to give the police a description of the person. Whilst they are on their way, tell neighbours, caretaker or Neighbourhood Watch representative just in case they try at other homes in the area. The earlier the police know that bogus callers are working in the area, the quicker they can investigate. If you let someone into your home, even if you know them, and you become uncomfortable, make excuses and leave. Go to a neighbour's house or ask a friend to come back with you. If you have a community alarm use it. (Source: How to beat the bogus caller, Home Office) Age Concern Waltham Forest Initiatives After several older adults told us of their experiences regarding Bogus Callers and a report in the ACE Newsletter from AC Colchester describing a pack that they had put together for the older adults of Colchester, we decided to follow their initiative. They are happy for us to do this. With help of several partners in Waltham Forest we were finally able to put together a bogus caller pack for the older adults in Waltham Forest.(Partners include London Fire Brigade, Metropolitan Police, B&Q Chingford, Community Safety Partnership, HEET, Home Office, London Energy, Rotary Club Chingford, Thames Water, Waltham Forest Council-Trading Standards, Waltham Forest Older People's Voluntary Sector Partnership). Our campaign was launched on 4/11/04 at our Annual General Meeting. Included in the pack is information on how to prevent Bogus Callers, Password Schemes from water, gas and electricity suppliers, a free lock fitting service, plus useful telephone numbers. In addition we also supply Message in a Bottle and security equipment in order to promote safety. In December 2004 we participated in the Crime Prevention week, with our Safety Net partners, in Selbourne walk and handed out 700 Safety Packs, During this time we also had a presence in two Walthamstow post offices and made older adults aware of bogus callers and possible crimes while drawing out their pension before Christmas. In October 2005, after securing some money, we decided to set up some bogus caller plays to spread the message even further.Working with our partner organizations and a small amateur drama group we launched our plays on the 16th November 2005 and two further performances were held in February 2006. Partners B&Q Chingford: provided us with free door chains and discount on other articles Chingford Rotary Club: Gave us £500 to set up Campaign Community Safety Partnership: provided us with advice Home Energy Efficiency Training (HEET): offering free energy efficiency checks, free security checks, have some equipment to fit for security. Home Office provided us with leaflets London Fire Brigade: offering leaflets, advice and free Home Fire Safety checks and Smoke Alarms. London Energy sent us information leaflets Office for Fair Trading provided us with leaflets Older People's Voluntary Sector Partnershipgave out bogus caller packs through their groups Thames Water board provided us with information leaflets and the password scheme. Waltham Forest Metropolitan Police Crime Prevention: offering safety advice to older people and providing safety equipment Bogus Caller Pack information How to beat the bogus caller Sticker, Lock, Stop, Chain Your Doorstep, your decision Office of Fair Trading www.oft.gov.uk How to recognise a scam www.oft.gov.uk Energy Watch 08459 06 07 07 www.energywatch.org.uk Is your Electric Blanket safe (Department of Trade and Industry) Plan your Escape (London Fire Brigade) www.firekills.gov.uk Home Energy Efficiency Training leaflet (HEET) Contacts Age Concern national 0800 00 9966 Age Concern Waltham Forest Alert 0208 539 3433 Citizen Advice Bureau 08701264 026; 0208 988 9620 Home Energy Efficiency Training (HEET) 0208 520 1900 E mail: the heetproject@hotmail.com Neighbourhood Watch Association national 0207 7772 3348 www.neighbourhoodwatch.net Trading Standards 0208 496 3000 The Office of Fair Trading 0845 722 44 99 Senior Line (Helped the Aged ) Victim Support 0208 503 6226 Waltham Forest Police Waltham Forest Crime Prevention 0208 345 3285; 0208 345 3265 Waltham Forest Neighbour Hood Watch 020 8345 3178 Password Scheme For helpful advice on how to prevent crime within your home or to yourself click on the link below: For information on Identify Theft, please click on the link below: http://www.identitytheft.org.uk/ |
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