With the clocks going back on Sunday October 25, and darker nights coming, Scottish Water is urging customers to help stop bogus callers by using our Card, Check and Call advice.
Remembering this series of simple steps can help to beat these callous conmen, who prey particularly on the vulnerable and elderly in our communities.
Scottish Water’s Chief Operating Officer, Peter Farrer, said: “As our investment programme to deliver clearer, fresher drinking water and improve the natural environment across Scotland continues, Scottish Water workers are highly visible in towns and villages across the country.
“However, there are those who would take advantage of this essential work by posing as bogus Scottish Water employees.
“All of our employees carry identity cards, which they are more than happy to show when requested to do so. Householders shouldn’t let anyone into their home until they are sure of their identity. Check through the peep hole on your door; ask them to pass their ID card through the letter box. Our employees will be more than happy to wait while you check their identity.
“If you’re on your own and feel that you need more support then call a neighbour or a friend, and if you are at all worried about a caller, then please contact the police straight away. The advice is easy to remember – just three C’s – Card, Check and Call.”
Following Scottish Water’s simple Three C’s advice could help communities throughout the area to beat the bogus caller:
• Card – You can ask callers to pass their ID card or letter through the letter box in order to verify their identity.
• Check – Check the identity card carefully: Is the photo on the card the same as the person at the door? Does the card contain the Scottish Water Customer Helpline number? Has the card been tampered with in any way?
If you are not confident that they are a genuine caller, then send them away!
• Call – If you are in any doubt about the caller’s identity please call our Customer Helpline on 0800 0778778. We advise customers to contact utility companies by using phone numbers found in telephone directories or the internet, but never from ID cards or letters presented, because these could be false. If you are still suspicious contact a neighbour or call the police.
When householders receive a cold call from anyone claiming to be from Scottish Water they should not under any circumstances open the door without first checking the callers ID card or letter – this should be passed through the letter box for verification. This stops a bogus caller forcing their way in, even if the door is ajar, or on a chain. Our employees will be more than happy to wait while you check their identity.
Handy advice is available on our website www.scottishwater.co.uk/boguscaller.
Pamela Taylor, Chief Executive, Water UK, said: “The water industry’s message to consumers about bogus callers is simple – if in doubt, keep them out. The whole water industry is behind the campaign to tackle this crime, which targets the most vulnerable people.
“We are pleased to support the efforts of Scottish Water and other agencies to reduce the risk of bogus callers. All water company employees and their contractors carry identification which they should offer. Please check the identification before letting anyone into your home.”
In a bid to help protect customers against bogus callers, Scottish Water is again offering an Anti-Bogus Caller Pack which contains a personal electronic alarm, door viewer, UV Marker Pen and guard bar.
Packs are available to the first 100 customers contacting Scottish Water by emailing [email protected] or writing to us quoting Bogus Caller Pack, Customer Marketing, PO Box 8855 Edinburgh EH10 6YQ.
Further information is available on our website www.scottishwater.co.uk/boguscaller or follow us on Twitter @scottish_water and Facebook www.facebook.com/scottishwater.
