Beat the Bogus Caller
Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2010 12:12 amScottish Water is advising customers throughout Argyll and Bute not to let their guard down against bogus callers when the clocks are put forward on March 28.
With the advent of lighter nights as we enter summer-time, some people might be less vigilant about bogus callers but the threat remains and customers, particularly the elderly and vulnerable, should remember a series of simple steps which could help avert bogus caller incidents.
When householders receive a cold call from anyone claiming to be from Scottish Water, or another utility, they should not under any circumstances open the door without first checking the caller’s identity card or letter.
The card or letter should be passed through the letter box for verification. This stops a bogus caller forcing their way in, even if the door is ajar, or on a chain.
Only when confident that a caller is who they claim to be, should householders then follow Scottish Water’s Three C's' rule: CARD CHECK and CALL.
• Card – You can ask callers to pass their ID card or letter through the letter box in order to verify their identity.
• Check - Check the identity card carefully: Is the photo on the card the same as the person at the door? Does the ID card or letter contain the Scottish Water Customer Helpline number? Has the card been tampered with in any way? If you are not confident that they are a genuine caller, then send them away!
• Call - If you are in any doubt about the caller's identity please call our Customer Helpline on 0845 601 8855. We advise customers to contact utility companies by using phone numbers found in telephone directories or the internet, but not from ID cards or letters, because these could be false. If you are still suspicious contact a neighbour or call the police.
Mr Peter Farrer, Scottish Water’s customer service delivery director, said: “As our investment programme to deliver clearer, fresher drinking water and improve the natural environment across Scotland continues, Scottish Water workers are highly visible in towns and villages across the country.
“However, there are those who would take advantage of this essential work by posing as bogus water employees and, with the lighter nights coming, we would urge customers to remain vigilant and continue to be aware of the threat from bogus callers.”
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Mrs Jane McKenzie, Scottish Water’s regional communities manager for Argyll and Bute, said: “All our employees carry identity cards, which they are more than happy to show when requested to do so. Householders shouldn’t let anyone into their home until they are sure of their identity. Check through the peep hole on your door. Our employees will be more than happy to wait while you check their identity.
“If you’re on your own and feel that you need more support, then call a neighbour or a friend, and if you are at all worried about a caller, then please contact the police straight away.
“The advice is easy to remember - just three C’s – card, check and call.”
If we need access to a customer’s property we normally try to contact them in advance and arrange a suitable time. However, there may be occasions when we need to cold-call. But all our staff carry identity badges and are happy to display these on arrival. We never call at a customer’s home to collect money.
In a bid to help protect customers against bogus callers, Scottish Water is again offering an Anti-Bogus Caller Pack which contains a personal electronic alarm, window sensor, door viewer, UV marker pen and guard bar.
Mrs McKenzie added: "We have introduced this pack because of a spate of bogus caller incidents where criminals pose as Scottish Water employees, in order to gain access to customers’ property. The packs have been a great success and we are continuing to offer them to customers. The pack is designed to encourage customers to take some simple but effective steps to avoid falling victim to such a callous, calculated crime. “
Packs are available to the first 50 customers contacting Scottish Water by emailing customermarketing@scottishwater.co.uk or writing to us quoting Bogus Caller Pack, Customer Marketing, PO Box 8855 Edinburgh EH10 6YQ.
Further information is available on our website www.scottishwater.co.uk/boguscaller.
With the advent of lighter nights as we enter summer-time, some people might be less vigilant about bogus callers but the threat remains and customers, particularly the elderly and vulnerable, should remember a series of simple steps which could help avert bogus caller incidents.
When householders receive a cold call from anyone claiming to be from Scottish Water, or another utility, they should not under any circumstances open the door without first checking the caller’s identity card or letter.
The card or letter should be passed through the letter box for verification. This stops a bogus caller forcing their way in, even if the door is ajar, or on a chain.
Only when confident that a caller is who they claim to be, should householders then follow Scottish Water’s Three C's' rule: CARD CHECK and CALL.
• Card – You can ask callers to pass their ID card or letter through the letter box in order to verify their identity.
• Check - Check the identity card carefully: Is the photo on the card the same as the person at the door? Does the ID card or letter contain the Scottish Water Customer Helpline number? Has the card been tampered with in any way? If you are not confident that they are a genuine caller, then send them away!
• Call - If you are in any doubt about the caller's identity please call our Customer Helpline on 0845 601 8855. We advise customers to contact utility companies by using phone numbers found in telephone directories or the internet, but not from ID cards or letters, because these could be false. If you are still suspicious contact a neighbour or call the police.
Mr Peter Farrer, Scottish Water’s customer service delivery director, said: “As our investment programme to deliver clearer, fresher drinking water and improve the natural environment across Scotland continues, Scottish Water workers are highly visible in towns and villages across the country.
“However, there are those who would take advantage of this essential work by posing as bogus water employees and, with the lighter nights coming, we would urge customers to remain vigilant and continue to be aware of the threat from bogus callers.”
More….
Mrs Jane McKenzie, Scottish Water’s regional communities manager for Argyll and Bute, said: “All our employees carry identity cards, which they are more than happy to show when requested to do so. Householders shouldn’t let anyone into their home until they are sure of their identity. Check through the peep hole on your door. Our employees will be more than happy to wait while you check their identity.
“If you’re on your own and feel that you need more support, then call a neighbour or a friend, and if you are at all worried about a caller, then please contact the police straight away.
“The advice is easy to remember - just three C’s – card, check and call.”
If we need access to a customer’s property we normally try to contact them in advance and arrange a suitable time. However, there may be occasions when we need to cold-call. But all our staff carry identity badges and are happy to display these on arrival. We never call at a customer’s home to collect money.
In a bid to help protect customers against bogus callers, Scottish Water is again offering an Anti-Bogus Caller Pack which contains a personal electronic alarm, window sensor, door viewer, UV marker pen and guard bar.
Mrs McKenzie added: "We have introduced this pack because of a spate of bogus caller incidents where criminals pose as Scottish Water employees, in order to gain access to customers’ property. The packs have been a great success and we are continuing to offer them to customers. The pack is designed to encourage customers to take some simple but effective steps to avoid falling victim to such a callous, calculated crime. “
Packs are available to the first 50 customers contacting Scottish Water by emailing customermarketing@scottishwater.co.uk or writing to us quoting Bogus Caller Pack, Customer Marketing, PO Box 8855 Edinburgh EH10 6YQ.
Further information is available on our website www.scottishwater.co.uk/boguscaller.