Bogus Officials are burglars who pose as employees of recognised organisations, in order to prey on the elderly, infirm and other vulnerable people. They pretend to be from the water board, electricity or gas companies, local council, social services and the police.
If working solo, they will flash some sort of ID card and then push their way in. They will keep the occupier busy with some small task (watching the water pressure in a tap for example) whilst they find a reason to leave the room in order to search the house for items to steal.
If working in pairs, one will distract the occupier and keep him or her busy, whilst the other steals.
The Home Office and the Police constantly "drip feed" advice via the press and through posters etc. Unfortunately, having to take precautions - to challenge callers - to ask for proof of identity, is alien to them; it is an unacceptable change to the way they have always lived their lives. They TRUST everyone until proven wrong. By then, it's too late!
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1. Shut and lock the back door, to prevent an accomplice from entering whilst you are at the front door.
2. Fit a door chain and use it! (Do not keep it on all the time. Only use it when you have a caller
3. If the design of your door/wall prevents you from seeing a caller when a chain is fitted, fix a small mirror tile to the wall next to the opening. you will be able to see clearly then.
4. Ask for the callers identity card. It should be passed through to you. Ensure that you are allowed to take it completely. If you end up having a tug of war, be very suspicious.
5. Ask for your reference number. Water, gas and electricity should have details of your account number. They never cold call. Local Authority will have your community charge reference number available. Check any numbers given against the details you have. Keep a record of them near the door.
6. If you have any doubts, contact the organisation concerned, to verify that the caller is genuine.
7. Many organisations will arrange a password system. See if that can be done in your area. All official callers will know the password.
1. Stay with the caller at all times. Do not allow him/her to wander around alone.
2. Do not offer to make a cup of tea. If you really must pop the kettle on, insist that the caller goes with you.
Contact the Crime Reduction department at Saffron Walden Police Station for details of their Bogus Caller Alert Scheme. This scheme has to be run by your local police force and every house in your street or village needs to participate. The benefit is that it deters bogus officials from calling in the first place. They will move on to a less aware district.
In the areas where this is in use, the offence has been totally eradicated!