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’.
