Tag: bogus callers

Police appeal following local bogus caller incidents

Police are continuing enquiries and appealing for information following several bogus caller incidents in North West Edinburgh in the last few days:

1. Around 3.45 pm on Tuesday, 30 June, two men called at an elderly woman’s home in Easter Drylaw Drive. The woman paid a three figure sum for landscaping work to be carried out however the men left in a car and did not return. .

2. Around 11.30 am on Wednesday, 1 July, two men called at a house in Cramond Park stating they were there to carry out work. It was established it wasn’t prearranged work and they were asked to leave. They were driving a white van.

3. Around 1.15 pm on Thursday, 2 July, a man called at an address in Craigs Avenue offering to carry out gardening and landscaping work. The man wanted to carry out the work immediately for cash and left when the occupier refused.

Detective Sergeant Dougal Begg at Corstorphine CID said: “This type of crime is despicable and is often targeted at the elderly and vulnerable in our communities. At this time we are trying to establish whether any of these incidents are linked.

“I urge members of the public to be on guard if someone turns up unexpectedly at their home offering to carry out work, especially work that they don’t believe is required.

“Ask for identification and/or a business card so that you can make the necessary checks for verification, don’t be afraid to say no and don’t be embarrassed as genuine callers expect you to be careful.

“If you’re not sure, don’t answer the door and report the incident to police.”

Anyone who has any information relating to the above incidents or anyone who has concerns or feels that they have been a victim of a bogus crime or scam caller should contact police via telephone number 101.

Police issue doorstep crime warning

Most people who call at your door will be genuine, but sometimes someone may turn up unannounced with the intention of tricking their way into your home. If someone calls:

LOCK – Keep your front, back, & side doors locked, even when you are home.

STOP – Before you answer, stop & think if you are expecting anyone. Check that you have locked the back door & taken the key out. Look through a spy hole to see who it is.

CHAIN – If you decide to open the door, put the door chain or door bar on first if you have one. Keep this on while you are talking to the person on the doorstep.

CHECK – Even if they have a pre-arranged appointment, check identity cards carefully. Close the door while you do this. If you are still unsure, look up a phone number in the phone book or online & ring the organisation to verify their identity. Do not use a phone number on the identity card as this may be fake.

Bogus callers may be smartly dressed & claim to be from the council, police, or utility company. They can also turn up as builders, gardeners, or other trades & try to trick you into paying for unnecessary work.

You should never agree to have work done by someone who is just ‘cold calling’.

If you think work needs done get at least three quotes from trusted companies.

Use The Edinburgh Trusted Trader Scheme to find tradespeople who have been checked & vetted by both Police & Trading Standards officers. Information on this Scheme can be found here- http://ow.ly/nPfT50ybKfx or by phoning 0131 513 9921.

If you think a bogus caller or doorstep criminal has called on you, or been in your street, report this to the police immediately on ‘101’ non-emergency or ‘999’ in an emergency. If you would rather remain anonymous, you can report incidents to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

For further crime prevention advice- https://www.scotland.police.uk/…/home-and-personal-property/ or contact your local Crime Prevention Officer by contacting ‘101’.

Doorstep Crime and Bogus Callers: advice from Police Scotland

Keep Safe from Doorstep Crime and Bogus Callers

What is doorstep crime?

From bogus callers to rogue traders, doorstep criminals are cunning, creative, and often very convincing.

Anyone can be fooled as these people are professional con artists. However, the over 60s are often specifically targeted.

What types of doorstep criminals are there?

There are two main types:

Bogus callers try to get into your home or obtain personal details by pretending to be someone they’re not, including council staff, charity collectors, meter readers and police officers. In reality, they are criminals trying to steal money and valuables.

Rogue traders usually cold-call, claiming to be workers offering to sell services, make repairs or carry out work on your house, garden or driveway. In reality they charge inflated prices for shoddy or unnecessary work.

We DO NOT recommend dealing with cold-callers for property maintenance and home repairs.

How can I spot a Rogue Trader?

  • They may tell you the work is urgent and needs to be carried out immediately.
  • They will normally ask for payment there and then and may offer to come to the bank with you if you don’t have the cash at hand.

How can I protect myself from doorstep crime?

  • Be on guard if someone turns up unexpectedly.
  • Keep front and back doors locked.
  • Use the door vieweror nearby window when answering the door.
  • Fit a door chain or bar – use it and keep it on when talking to callers at the door.
  • If you’re not sure, don’t answer the door.
  • Don’t feel embarrassed – genuine callers expect you to be careful.
  • Only let callers in if they have an appointment and you have confirmed they are genuine.
  • Always ask for identification badges of anyone you answer the door to, but don’t rely on them. Identity cards can be faked – phone the company to verify their identity.
  • Some companies offer a password system. Ask your utility providers if this can be used and if you have a password with a company make sure the caller uses it.
  • Never let people try to persuade you to let them into your home even if they are asking for help – they may not be genuine. If someone is persistent, ask them to call at another time and arrange for a friend or family member to be with you.
  • Never agree to pay for goods or give money to strangers who arrive at your door.
  • Don’t keep large amounts of money in your home.
  • Remember, it’s your home. There’s no reason why anyone should ever enter your home against your wishes.
  • If you’re not sure, don’t answer the door.

For more information about how to secure your home and the property within it, see our advice on how to Keep Your Home Safe

British Sign Language

What else can I do to stop being defrauded by a Rogue Trader?

Trading Standards advice is:

  • Don’t feel pressurised into agreeing to immediate work or buying a product or service.
  • Don’t agree to buy from the first person who calls.
  • Don’t pay cash up front or offer to go and get money.
  • Shop around if you decide you need work done.
  • Ask what your cancellation rights are.
  • Report them.

What action should I take if someone visits me and I think they’re a doorstep criminal?

  • Keep the caller out of your house, ask them to leave and call the police immediately by dialling 101.
  • You might also want to try to alert a family member or attract a neighbour’s attention but you should always contact the police first by dialling 101. The police would much rather attend a false alarm than have someone fall victim to a doorstep criminal.
  • If the person refuses to leave your door, or you feel threatened or scared – Call 999 and ask for the police.
  • Note down their description and the description of any vehicle they’re using, including make, model, colour and registration number.

How can I protect my family, friend and neighbours?

Discuss the advice on this page with family, friends or neighbours who are older or vulnerable. There are also other things you can do to help protect them against bogus callers – everyone has a part to play to keep the community safe.

  • Keep an eye out for strange vans in your neighbour’s driveway.
  • Make sure your relativesare not regularly taking large amounts of cash out of the bank.
  • Make arrangements to ensure your relative’s house looks well maintained and, for example, that it is not immediately obvious that an older person lives there alone.
  • Doorstep criminals will often target the same victim more than once, so be particularly alert if someone has previously been a victim.
  • Police Scotland has a ‘Nominated Neighbour Scheme’ which can assist those who prefer not to answer the door to those they don’t know.  Read our Nominated Neighbour leaflet.
  • Look out for your community and report any suspicious activity immediately to Police Scotland on 101 or your local authority Trading Standards.
  • For more information on doorstep crime or assistance regarding home security contact your local Community Policing Team on 101.

Bogus Phone Calls

Bogus callers can also make contact with you by phone. Get more information about this in our advice about Identity Fraud and Scams.

Further Advice

Find out more about doorstep crime by downloading our Beat Doorstep Crime campaign material here.

Bogus callers target 81 year old woman in Nichollfield

‘This is a despicable theft from an elderly lady in her own home’ – Detective Constable Mark Seymour

Bogus caller

Police in Edinburgh are investigating a theft from an 81 year old woman in Nichollfield in Newhaven.

The incident happened around 10.45 am on Saturday (22 August), when the woman was visited by two men who said they needed to speak to her about her water supply.

She allowed the men into the house and after a short while they stole items from her house and made off.  The suspects were chased from the scene and were last seen running through a common stair in North Fort Street.

The two suspects are described as:

(1) male, white, about 6’ tall, slim build, short dirty blond/grey hair, wearing a dark grey woollen jersey and carrying a carrier bag;

(2) male, white, about 5’10” tall, slim build, short dark hair and possible moustache, wearing a dark top.

Detective Constable Mark Seymour of Gayfield Police Station said; “This is a despicable theft from an elderly lady in her own home by these two suspects who have managed to trick their way into her home by acting as bogus officials.

“We are appealing for anyone who may have seen the suspects as they fled the scene around 10.45 am on Saturday to get in touch.

“A robust and thorough investigation is underway to catch those responsible and I would urge anyone who has any information which may help in this investigation to call us on 101, or if they want to remain anonymous then through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

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Bogus workmen alert

Police in North Edinburgh are appealing for witnesses following two bogus caller incidents in the area this week.

An 84-year-old woman was within her home on Bellevue Road on Monday (9 December) at around 10am when two men called at the door offering to carry out maintenance on the property.

After agreeing a fee with the occupants, one of the men left to get equipment while the other man followed the lady into her back garden to retrieve an item.

On going back into the house the victim stopped to lock the backdoor while the man went out into the front. She realised at that time that her purse had been stolen and both men had disappeared.

Both men are described as white, Scottish, with a local accent, around 50 years old, with an average build and 6ft tall. One of the men had a full beard.

In the second incident, an 85-year-old woman was at her home in Davidson Mains on Tuesday (10 December) at around 3.30pm when a man arrived at her door asking if she needed any gardening done. When she refused, the suspect asked if he could come in while waiting for someone. She agreed and whilst in the kitchen area the suspect is believed to have taken her handbag and gone back outside.

The suspect is described as having a tanned complexion, aged late 20’s to early 30’s, possibly sporting a moustache or facial stubble and spoke with a local accent. He was  wearing a dark winter hat, dark jacket and dark trousers.

Detective Inspector Stuart Harkness from Police Scotland said: “The elderly occupants have been left very upset after having their belongings stolen from within their house. Anyone who remembers seeing anything suspicious in the Belleview or Davidson Mains area of the city is asked to contact police immediately.

“Bogus workmen normally prey on the most vulnerable members of the community, particular the elderly and our communities are asked to be vigilant for people calling at the doors of neighbours, friends and loved ones.

“Similarly, all members of the public are advised to check the identification of anyone attending at their address seeking to carry out work. If they are not happy with the callers they should refuse them entry and phone the police”.

Anyone with any information should contact Police Scotland 101, or the charity Crimestoppers in confidence and complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.

Police appeal following local bogus workman incidents

Police in Edinburgh are appealing for witnesses following bogus workman incidents in Drylaw, Craigleith and Pilton.

The most recent incident happened around 10.30am last Thursday (7 November).  The 78-year-old victim was in her Queens Road home when the male suspect called there offering to carry out gardening work.  The offer was repeatedly declined, however the suspect managed to gain entry to the house where he was later disturbed and fled the scene empty handed.

The other incidents happened the previous day (Wednesday 6 November) in the Drylaw area.  The first two incidents happened around 1pm in Easter Drylaw Avenue and Easter Drylaw Gardens respectively, when again gardening work was offered.  The residents who were approached declined the offer, but during one attempt the suspect falsely told the victim that their gardening work, which is carried out by the council, had been withdrawn.

The later incident happened around 3.15pm at West Pilton Drive.

The suspect is described as white, late-thirties or early-forties, around 5ft 10inches, tall, slim build, short dark hair, of tidy appearance with an Irish accent.  He was wearing a white sweatshirt with navy horizontal stripes, navy coloured jeans, carrying a dark brown shoulder bag.

Detective Constable Ben Leathes from Operation Aristotle, which tackles bogus callers in the Capital said: “The elderly victim has been left very upset that the man had entered her home. Bogus workmen target vulnerable members of our community and utilise various methods of deception to do so.

“Members of the public are reminded never to allow a caller into their home unless entirely certain of their identity.  If you have any doubts, do not let them in and contact police immediately.

“Similarly, anyone requiring maintenance or repair work for their home should only use a company or individual whom they trust and never hand over money to anyone who cold-calls at your door.

“Neighbours and family of vulnerable people are also asked to be vigilant for suspicious people in their area and report any concerns for a member of the community to police immediately.

“Anyone wishing advice on crime prevention can dial 101 or contact their local policing team.”

Anyone with information can contact Police Scotland on 101, or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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Police issue bogus callers warning

Police are warning North Edinburgh residents to be on their guard against bogus callers operating in the area. The advice follows an incident that happened around 1.30pm on Monday in Great Michael Rise in Newhaven, where two men gained access to a house by claiming to be at the address to work on the water supply.

The elderly resident, who is in his 90s, grew suspicious when they failed to show any identification and they left without taking anything. They were last seen walking in the direction of Annfield.

Both suspects are described as being white, aged between 30 and 40-years-old, with average builds, and local accents.

DS Ben Leathes, from Lothian and Borders Police, said: “We are appealing to anyone who was in the Newhaven area early yesterday afternoon, who noticed the suspects, to contact police. Likewise we would like to hear from any local residents who may have received a similar call at their own home yesterday.

“At this time we are warning residents to be on their guard against anyone who calls at their property to carry out any type of unsolicited work. Anyone who receives such a call should deny the caller access, and should ask to see identification. If they are still not satisfied, then they should contact the company they claim to represent in order to establish their identity. If anyone has any suspicions over the intentions of any cold caller, then they should contact police immediately.”

Anyone with any information should contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131, or Crimestoppers in confidence and complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.