How To Avoid Door Step Crime
Research has shown more than half of bogus caller crimes committed in the UK are carried out by criminals pretending to be from a water company.
This has led to the water industry joining forces with local Police and the government to launch a national campaign to raise awareness of this crime.
Statistics show that around 35 bogus caller crime are committed every day in the UK, but it is believed that this might only be 10% of the total number of incidents that actually take place as victims often feel too embarrassed to report it to the Police. These statistics make for grim reading, but it helps to reinforce that this type of crime is becoming quite common.
In the past, bogus callers have targeted areas where the United Utilities has been carrying out maintenance work and will use this opportunity to trick themselves into customers homes claiming to be from United Utilities or the “Water Board”. Once inside, they will then distract the homeowner while the accomplice helps themselves to money or valuables.
United Utilities employees always carry ID and will be happy to show this card to you when they visit your home. If the person claiming to be from United Utilities doesn’t have the ID cards or you are concerned that the card isn’t valid.
United Utilities do operate a password protection scheme which is one of the most effective ways to avoid bogus callers. It’s a very simple deterrent that really does work and will give you confidence to turn people away.
TO SET UP A PASSWORD; CALL TELEPHONE, 0845/746/1100
Tips on how to avoid doorstep crime
1. Take care when opening doors and always ask for identification.
2. Do not agree to have any work done on your property unless you get a second opinion as to whether you actually need the work doing or not.
3. Do not agree to any work where the caller says they are only in the area today.
4. For the contract to be completed successfully by both parties, the trader must serve you with a notice of cancellation rights, giving you details of how to cancel.
5. If you do agree to work being carried out, then you have a short time period in which to cancel the contract after it has been signed.
6. Choose a reliable tradesman; ask families and friends for recommendations.
7. Do not pay any money up front.
8. Do not accept transport from the tradesman to your bank or building society, in order to withdraw money to pay for the work.
9. Say no if you feel pressurized.
10. If in doubt contact Consumer Advice or the Police.