Beware Bogus Callers
Falkirk East MSP Cathy Peattie is calling for people to beware bogus
callers.
"The conmen get around," said Cathy. "It was Grangemouth
last week, and it could be Bo'ness or Falkirk next week. Sometimes they
distract people while an accomplice steals money and valuables. Sometimes
they persuade people that they need work done, take as much as they can,
and do as little as they can."
Cathy's call follows the robbery of an 83 year old man in Grangemouth,
by three men, described as smartly dressed with short dark hair, one in
his forties and the others in their twenties, wearing gloves and driving
a dark or black car.
"Always ask callers to produce identification. Anyone with good reason
to enter your home, for example from the council or public utilities,
should be able to produce ID. If you have any doubts, call their office
to check them out before letting them in, get help from neighbours, and
if you think they may be bogus, call the police."
Cathy also commended a leaflet produced by the Federation of Master Builders
who have launched a campaign in conjunction with Trading Standards, to
tackle the problem of rogue tradesmen.
"They may come to your door saying that your roof or your brickwork
or your driveway needs repaired, and they are doing a job nearby, have
some materials left over, and so on. They may pretend they have done work,
or do unnecessary work, and they'll charge whatever they can get away
with. Trading standards say that last year, £1.36 billion was stolen
by such means. The safest bet is never to buy from someone who knocks
at your door offering building services."
Ends
Notes: details of FMB campaign on http://www.findabuilder.co.uk/ideas/doorknockers/index.asp.
Leaflets and stickers will also be available from Cathy's office.
(September 2007)
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