Residents are urged to be on their guard after a couple of incidents where bogus officials attempted to get into people’s homes.
Police have issued a warning and useful advice after the incidents in Whaplode and Holbeach St Johns last week.
On both occasions, two men dressed in high visibility jackets claimed to be from the council and were offering free loft insulation.
Community Policing Inspector Jim Tyner said: “These types of offence are despicable as the offenders prey on the elderly and vulnerable in our society.
“They try to trick their way in by pretending to be officials.
“Thankfully they were foiled by quick-witted residents.”
Also known as distraction burglars, they trick their way into people’s homes to steal money and valuables while the householder’s attention is elsewhere.
Most callers are genuine and mean you no harm, but bogus callers can often seem very plausible and will try to fool you
Lincolnshire Police offer the following advice:
- Bogus callers often work in pairs. One of them will try to keep you talking at the front door while the other tries to get in through the back door or a window.
- Look through your spy hole or through a window. Try to check who a caller is before opening the door. Don’t let any caller pressure you into making a quick decision. If you are unsure‚ do not open the door.
- Before you answer the door, put your door chain on and keep it on while you check the caller’s identity.
- If you want to check with their company, keep the door chain on‚ tell the caller you are going to call their company and close the door. A genuine caller will not object to you leaving them on the doorstep and closing the door while you confirm their identity‚ even if it is raining.
Insp Tyner added: “Be a good neighbour. Keep an eye on callers to elderly or vulnerable neighbours. If you are suspicious record car registration numbers. If you think a crime is in progress, call 999.”
