Warning over rogue traders pretending to be council officers
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Robin Sutton, chairman of Cambridgeshire Neighbourhood Watch, said: “We’ve had a report that some residents in Fenland have recently been visited by rogue traders purporting to be council officers offering loft insulation.
“Please be aware that Fenland District Council are not carrying out such work, nor do they endorse any companies offering loft insulation, or supply details of residents to such companies. It is likely that these traders are using the council’s name to access properties in order to steal or to try to get customers to agree to work, whether it is needed or not.
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Hide Ad“Whilst this matter has been brought to our attention in Fenland, don’t forget that criminals know no boundaries and will try their luck over a wide area. Please share this warning far and wide.
“If you are visited by a cold caller on the doorstep please remember you do not have to answer the door - it is not impolite to not answer to people you are not expecting.”
The following advice has been issued for people who do answer the door to cold callers:
. Ensure back doors and windows are locked
. Use your door chain to answer the door
. Ask for proof of ID
. Check the ID has not been tampered with e.g. new photo stuck over
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Hide Ad. Contact the organisation to check the visitor is genuine using a number you know to be correct, such as from their official website, social media page or a bill (i.e. not a number on the ID card)
. Refuse to engage with anyone who does not offer reliable proof of ID.
A genuine caller will not mind waiting for you to make these checks.
You can report rogue traders to the police on 999 (if still present) or 101 after the event.
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Hide AdFor a free ‘Please leave and do not return’ door sticker email [email protected].
Neighbourhood Watch is currently running a campaign to help you to protect your passwords. You can find out more at https://www.ourwatch.org.uk/passwords.