Message from A&S Police;
There have several incidents in North Somerset and South Gloucestershire over the last month where residents received a call on their landline from someone purporting to be from either the police or a security company.
An elderly couple in Clevedon, North Somerset, received a call from a man claiming to be from “The Crime Reduction Unit of the police”. He was trying to persuade the couple to buy an alarm for £1.00 that would connect them to the local police and fire service. He also wanted to make an appointment to visit their home. They weren’t sure about the man so they hung up and told their neighbour, who alerted police.
In a similar vein, an elderly lady in South Gloucestershire was made aware of a potential scam after a friend received a call. When she then got a phone call herself she was prepared.
She was called by a man who stated he was from a security company wanting to conduct a home survey. She asked for the proposal to be put in writing and for a letter to be sent with some literature to her so she could speak to her son, at which point the man put the phone down.
PC Fin Simmons from Avon and Somerset Police said: “I encourage people to take care when they received unsolicited calls from people. The two ladies who received calls did exactly the right thing in trying to get the person to prove their identity. Reputable companies or genuine callers will be happy to prove who they are and provide identification.
“It’s important to reiterate the more we talk about these scams, the more people are made aware of them the less likely they are to become victims. Please spread the word to your relatives, neighbours, colleagues and friends, especially those who are elderly or vulnerable.
“If you are unsure of anyone asking you for details, we would advise you to be overly cautious. There are some simple but effective measures people can take to minimise the risk of becoming a victim of these scams.”
www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/contact-us/report-a-crime-or-incident/
You can also call us on 101.
Alternatively you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. They never ask your name or trace your call.
In an emergency, if a crime is in progress, or people or property are at risk, always dial 999.
There have several incidents in North Somerset and South Gloucestershire over the last month where residents received a call on their landline from someone purporting to be from either the police or a security company.
An elderly couple in Clevedon, North Somerset, received a call from a man claiming to be from “The Crime Reduction Unit of the police”. He was trying to persuade the couple to buy an alarm for £1.00 that would connect them to the local police and fire service. He also wanted to make an appointment to visit their home. They weren’t sure about the man so they hung up and told their neighbour, who alerted police.
In a similar vein, an elderly lady in South Gloucestershire was made aware of a potential scam after a friend received a call. When she then got a phone call herself she was prepared.
She was called by a man who stated he was from a security company wanting to conduct a home survey. She asked for the proposal to be put in writing and for a letter to be sent with some literature to her so she could speak to her son, at which point the man put the phone down.
PC Fin Simmons from Avon and Somerset Police said: “I encourage people to take care when they received unsolicited calls from people. The two ladies who received calls did exactly the right thing in trying to get the person to prove their identity. Reputable companies or genuine callers will be happy to prove who they are and provide identification.
“It’s important to reiterate the more we talk about these scams, the more people are made aware of them the less likely they are to become victims. Please spread the word to your relatives, neighbours, colleagues and friends, especially those who are elderly or vulnerable.
“If you are unsure of anyone asking you for details, we would advise you to be overly cautious. There are some simple but effective measures people can take to minimise the risk of becoming a victim of these scams.”
- If someone claims to be from a company check their details, look at their website and see if they have any testimonials.
- Call the company, but don’t use a number the caller gives you. Look one up on the internet or in a phone directory. Before you make the call, either use a different telephone or wait for a dialling tone to ensure the bogus callers are not still on the line.
- If the person claims to be from the local police, always ask for their collar number or staff I.D number. You can then call 101 to check they are who they say they are.
www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/contact-us/report-a-crime-or-incident/
You can also call us on 101.
Alternatively you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. They never ask your name or trace your call.
In an emergency, if a crime is in progress, or people or property are at risk, always dial 999.
