Bogus callers are part of a highly organised, professional criminal fraternity. They pose as utility workers, tradespeople, police officers and sometimes even charity workers. They come in all shapes and sizes: men, women, working singly or in pairs - sometimes even children have been used in the deception. What they all share are an ability to convince an older person on the doorstep that they have a genuine reason to enter the home. Once inside the home they will use a ruse to distract the older person’s attention, whilst they or an unseen accomplice search the home for money and valuables to steal. This type of crime is not petty and can result in perpetrators netting hundreds of thousands of pounds from their victims. The below examples represent a wide selection of scams used both in the UK, Europe & America & are divided into distraction burglary & rogue trader scams. It should be noted that rogue traders would take any opportunity to commit a distraction theft should the opportunity arise.

Water Scams -
"I'm from the Water Board & am here to check the pipes".
"I need to check the water/turn the water off (I'm laying pipes up the road)".
"The water is unfit for drinking. I need to come in & check it”.
This is the top scam used in the country despite the fact that the ‘Water board’ ceased to exist in 1989 and water companies rarely make house calls.
Once inside, the bogus caller asks the victim to go upstairs/into the kitchen & turn on the taps - thus distracted - the bogus caller/ accomplice then is free to search the home for money/valuables.
The front door is invariably left open for accomplice to slip in unnoticed.

Utilities-
"There has been a gas leak in the area. I need to come in & check your supply".
"I have come to read your meter"

Council/social services/charities-
"I am from the council and need to check for damp/check your financial details/am offering a free safety inspection”
“I am from Age Concern/Help the Aged & want to come in & tell you about all the services you could be eligible for.”
Various ruses are used with this deception, centred around the caller having come to check the householder’s status either as regards benefits or other entitlements.

Police-
The fake/stolen money ruse
This is a very successful ruse, which involves a bogus caller impersonating a police officer & asking the victim to give them their cash to go away and check the serial numbers. In some instances this request is followed by a threat that the victim will be arrested if they do not comply.

Multiple Scams
“I am from the police/bogus caller prevention department of the council & would like to follow up some information on your recent victimisation.”
Bogus callers share information on targets that keep large amounts of cash in the house and are seen as ‘easy targets.’ Addresses are either swapped through networks or offenders leave a marker on the property such as a chalk mark on the fence or wall that indicates an easy victim. Offenders sometimes dress up as police officers.

Use of children/luring the victim outside-
"I've lost my football/kite/puppy/rabbit in your garden"·
“I am being bullied & they have tied my shoelaces together. Can you come & untie them.”
The older person is distracted by the child (child is usually crying) & goes to the garden leaving an external door unlocked. An adult then slips in unseen…
“I am a tree inspector and have been contracted to remove and trim some trees along your property line”
The victim is asked to step outside and show the bogus caller where the property line is so they don’t cut down the wrong trees. The bogus caller then says that they need to get something from their van and do not return.
By the time the victim realises they are not coming back the theft will have been committed and the offenders fled.

The intention of this information is to make you all aware of the type of scams which these people will use in order to gain entry to someone’s property. Please be aware that the above are just a selection of the most common scams in use. If in any doubt about anyone cold calling PLEASE do not let them in, and call 999 immediately.

In the up and coming month I will do more cycle patrols on my beat and hopefully meet more of you.
If you have anything you want to discuss with me in the meantime please call 07921 094941. If I am off work my phone will go to voicemail so please leave a message and I will call you back.

Information supplied by Simon Rampley Police Community Support Officer.
Please go to Services for full list of local Police Contacts