Police tips to reduce artifice burglaries
By Martin Chapman on Monday, 16th July 2001.
Suffolk Police have issued tips to reduce the number of artifice burglaries.
* Check to see who is at the door by using the door spy-hole if you have one or simply look through a front window.
* Always put the chain on before opening the door.
* If you don't know the caller, ask to see their identity card.
* Keep the chain on the door while you check it carefully; or close the door while you check the card genuine callers won't mind a bit.
* Can you see the callers vehicle? Does it bear the name and logo of the company he or she claims to represent?
* If you are still not sure, ask the caller to come back later. Check out their story by phoning the organisation/company they claim to represent.
Look up the number in your own telephone directory. Don't rely on the telephone number on their card it may be the number of the crooks partner.
* Keep your back door locked while one bogus caller is keeping you occupied at the front door, his or her partner-in-crime may well be trying to gain access around the back.
* Never allow yourself to be pressurised by callers who say its an emergency or I'm in a hurry.
* Do a bit of homework.
Some gas/water/electricity companies now run password schemes aimed at stopping the burglar. Does yours?
For example, Anglian Water, has a scheme called Fitting Image in which customers can check the identity of anyone on their doorstep who claims to be working on behalf of the company. A quick free phone call can allow Anglian Water to describe the caller and give a unique coded number to double-check the callers identity.
REMEMBER: IF IN DOUBT, KEEP THEM OUT - AND CONTACT THE POLICE.
* Check to see who is at the door by using the door spy-hole if you have one or simply look through a front window.
* Always put the chain on before opening the door.
* If you don't know the caller, ask to see their identity card.
* Keep the chain on the door while you check it carefully; or close the door while you check the card genuine callers won't mind a bit.
* Can you see the callers vehicle? Does it bear the name and logo of the company he or she claims to represent?
* If you are still not sure, ask the caller to come back later. Check out their story by phoning the organisation/company they claim to represent.
Look up the number in your own telephone directory. Don't rely on the telephone number on their card it may be the number of the crooks partner.
* Keep your back door locked while one bogus caller is keeping you occupied at the front door, his or her partner-in-crime may well be trying to gain access around the back.
* Never allow yourself to be pressurised by callers who say its an emergency or I'm in a hurry.
* Do a bit of homework.
Some gas/water/electricity companies now run password schemes aimed at stopping the burglar. Does yours?
For example, Anglian Water, has a scheme called Fitting Image in which customers can check the identity of anyone on their doorstep who claims to be working on behalf of the company. A quick free phone call can allow Anglian Water to describe the caller and give a unique coded number to double-check the callers identity.
REMEMBER: IF IN DOUBT, KEEP THEM OUT - AND CONTACT THE POLICE.
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