Published on:
12
October 2011
Stirling and Clackmannanshire Doorstep Crime Partnerships have joined forces to remind people to stay vigilant after several incidents over the summer where people became victims of bogus callers or cold callers on the telephone.
Trading Standards Officer Rosemary McLellan said: "Not all thieves break into homes - some will try to talk their way in and steal while you are distracted - they often pose as council workers, tradesmen or that they work for one of the utility companies e.g. gas, water, electricity. Bogus workmen turn up at the door offering to tar driveways, carryout garden work or fix roofs, and some pose as council workers.
"There have been incidents recently of residents being approached by people claiming to work for the Council's Roads Service to carryout work of this nature. We would like to remind people that Council workers would not approach residents to carryout work adhoc. Anyone claiming to work for Stirling Council should be asked for identification which can be confirmed by phoning the Council's Contact Centre on 0845 277 7000 before any work is carried out."
"After being duped by these criminals, who often work in groups of two or more, the victim is often too embarrassed to make a complaint", added Rosemary.
After a spate of calls to members of the public in their homes claiming to be from Central Scotland Police, Derek Mitchell, Chair of the Stirling Reducing Doorstep Crime Partnership said: "Central Scotland Police will never contact members of the public by phone to obtain any personal banking details relating to ongoing enquiries."
"If any member of the public receives a phone call claiming to be from the police or any other agency our advice is do not divulge any personal details. These include, full name, dates of birth or any banking account or security details over the phone.
"If any phone number is retained on a Caller ID Display or 1471 then note this and contact Central Scotland Police on 01786 456000 immediately". "Should details be inadvertently given out then the matter should also be reported to the bank or
building society as a matter of urgency to stop all activity on the account including bank cards and on-line banking".
A spokesperson from Clackmannanshire Alliance Doorstep Crime Partnership said:
"These criminals often offer to escort or give people a lift to their bank so that they can withdraw the money from the service. People have even been approached on the street by strangers offering to escort them to the bank to withdraw money so that they can have their fortune told!"
If you are bothered by any of these trading practices please do not be afraid or embarrassed to contact the Police on 01786 456000 or Trading Standards on 0845 277 7000. Only by identifying these unscrupulous traders can we prevent others from becoming their next target.