Bogus Caller Warning

[Tim Lund]

At the Perry Vale Assembly last night, the Police rep had this message, which a neighbour who is on their email list had already forwarded to me

Dear Resident,

Trading Standards Officers at Lewisham Council have asked all Safer Neighbourhoods Teams to pass the following message on to their residents regarding recent incidents involving bogus callers:

Please note:

1 Individuals have been knocking on doors falsely claiming to be from a drainage company (eg Dynarod) and that they are working on the drains of a neighbouring house. They are trying to trick their way inside to steal property

2 Similar to the above individuals have been knocking on doors falsely claiming to be doing plumbing work for next door neighbour and that they need to enter the property.

3 In Orpington a man, claiming to be a security guard, stole jewellery and cash from a woman

http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/11337 ... er/?ref=mr

Residents are advised

If you get an unexpected knock at the door then:

DO NOT LET THE PERSON IN

Put your door chain on before opening the door or speak to them through your letter box.

If they claim to be from the Police etc or a particular company then tell them to wait outside. Find the genuine number for the Police (101) or company they claim to be from the phone book and ring that number. DO NOT PHONE THE NUMBER ON THEIR ID CARD

A list of genuine numbers can be obtained from Trading Standards by ringing 020 8314 2288 or downloaded from:
http://www.lewisham.gov.uk/myservices/b ... llers.aspx

If the caller is not genuine or they appear suspicious, then ring the Police on 101. In an emergency ring 999.

Regards

PC 891PL Richard Bailey
Dedicated Ward Officer
Perry Vale SNT



Total Policing is the Met's commitment to be on the streets and in your communities to catch offenders, prevent crime and support victims. We are here for London, working with you to make our capital safer.

[syd]

I had someone knock and say district nurse. I'm no longer polite to strangers who knock especially after the Jehovah witness compared me to hitler when I said no thanks I'm fine. Her words were Hitler thought the same thing. I regret not slapping her.

[Ghlpc]

I had a pleasant young lady knock yesterday claiming to be from UNICEF. She had what looked like proper ID.

I didn't have the time to talk, so when I asked for any leaflets or materials to leave she said she didn't have any.

I dont know if it was my own nervousness creeping in after that, but she did glance past me more than once into the house, which made me even more suspicious.

I'm wondering if anyone else had a UNICEF caller yesterday and what they thought? We didn't get far enough to test her subject knowledge.

Would be reassuring to hear people think she was genuine. I must admit she was polite.

I'm on De Frene.

Admin - hope this is posted under the correct subject?