Vulnerable residents in Leigh West are being warned of conmen posing as former police officers.
The offenders have told their elderly victims in the Abbey Lane area they now work for ‘Group 1 Security’ and have conned one elderly woman into paying out £1,250 for an alarm system.
PC David Holt of the Leigh West Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “This particular victim was told the alarm was linked to a call centre, but when she rang no one answered. False company website details had also been given.
“The advice to residents is not to let anyone into your home that you don’t know. Ask to see their ID card and also check their identity by phoning the company they claim to be from, remembering to obtain the number from the phone book as the one on the card may be fake. Genuine callers will not mind waiting.”
Police are giving the following advice to help people avoid becoming a victim of this crime…
- Remember to keep all external doors locked at all times, whether you are at home or not.
- Stop and think before you open the door. If possible, look out of the window or use a door viewer (spy-hole) to check whether you know the caller.
- If you have a door bar or chain put it on before opening the door.
- Ask to see an identification card and check it carefully, but ensure you close the door on the caller while doing this.
- If you have not got a door bar or chain, ask the caller to push their identity card through the letterbox, then check the photograph corresponds to the caller.
- Call the company concerned to verify the identity of the caller, but do not rely on the number given to you as this may be fake. Look it up yourself in the phone book.
- Do not open the door until you are happy with the caller's identity.
- If you still have any doubts, ask them to call back when either a family member, friend or neighbour can be present. Genuine callers would never wish to cause distress, and would be happy to call again.
- Never hand money over before work has been completed and checked.
- If you believe someone may be a bogus caller, try to note down a description of their appearance or the registration number of the vehicle they are using before contacting police.
To contact the Leigh West Neighbourhood Policing Team call 0161 856 7225 or email leigh.apt@gmp.police.uk
For non-emergency calls or to report crime call police on 0161 872 5050 or for more information visit gmp.police.uk/wigan
Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111
Use 999 only in emergencies where there is a threat to life or crime in progress.
Police across Wigan borough are now delivering the Policing Pledge, giving people a clear minimum standard of service they can expect from their Neighbourhood Policing Teams.
Find out more at gmp.police.uk/policingpledge
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