From Lewisham Council ...
Bogus workman warning
Residents in Lewisham are advised to check and verify the identity of any workmen knocking on their door after a couple in Lee were conned out of £180.00.
A ‘workman’ knocked on the door of an elderly couple, wearing what appeared to be Lewisham Council branded clothing. He claimed that a tree was causing an obstruction and a wall in their garden needed to be knocked down, saying that the residents had to pay for it. He cheated them out of £180 before disappearing. The couple realised that they had been conned and contacted the police.
Lewisham Police and the Council’s Neighbourhood Community Safety and Trading Standards teams are working together to monitor any similar activity.
Councillor Janet Daby, new Cabinet Member for Community Safety, said: “So far we only know of this one incident of someone pretending to be from the Council, but I would remind people to be on their guard and to check the identity of any unknown callers to their home. If in doubt don’t let them in, and don’t part with any money. If in doubt or you are concerned for your safety call the police.”
Official worker from Lewisham Council, Lewisham Homes or the Police will always have official documentation or ID to prove who they are. The advice from Lewisham Council is that people should follow these simple rules before allowing anyone they don’t know into their home:
Make sure your door is locked when you’re at home and don’t unlock it until you’re sure who is on the other side.
If you decide to open the door, put the door chain or bar on first. Keep the bar or chain on while you are talking.
Ask for, and double check, their identity card. Shut the door and ring the company that they claim to be from. Don’t use the number on their card. Instead, find the company’s number in the phone book.
All police officers carry a warrant card with their name, rank and photograph. To confirm an officer’s identity the public should call Lewisham Police on 101 or contact their local Safer Neighbourhoods Team. If residents think the person at their door is trying to commit a crime then they should ring 999.
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To which I would add be wary of employing any workman who has not been recommended by someone you trust. And if you need to pay Lewisham anything - pay Lewisham directly and not to anyone on the doorstep no matter what documentation they show.
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