Knowsley Council has issued an urgent warning to residents across the borough following a series of incidents involving bogus callers. The council's trading standards department has raised alarms about individuals posing as utility workers and gardeners to gain access to homes.
Key Takeaways
- Knowsley Council is alerting residents to a rise in bogus caller incidents.
- Reports include individuals falsely claiming to be from EE and others offering unsolicited gardening services.
- Officials advise residents to never let unverified callers into their homes and to report suspicious activity immediately.
- The primary advice is: "If in doubt, keep them out!"
Recent Incidents Prompt Public Alert
The warning follows two specific alerts issued by Knowsley Council in recent weeks. The first, on September 9, concerned a male caller who claimed to be working for the telecommunications company EE. According to the report, he requested access to properties to check fibre connections.
However, after consulting with EE, which is now part of the BT Group, the council confirmed that company representatives would not make such unannounced visits. This discrepancy raised immediate concerns about the caller's intentions.
A second alert was posted on the council's official Facebook page on October 7. This warning detailed reports of a man approaching homes and offering gardening work without a prior appointment. The post emphasized that most legitimate businesses operate on a pre-arranged basis.
Understanding Bogus Callers
Bogus callers, also known as distraction burglars, often work by deceiving residents to gain entry to their property. Their methods can vary, from posing as officials to offering services, with the ultimate goal often being theft of money or valuables.
Official Guidance on Staying Safe
In response to these events, Knowsley Council has published clear guidance for residents to help them protect themselves from potential scams and theft. The core message is to be cautious of anyone who arrives at your door unexpectedly.
The council's advice is straightforward: "If you are not sure who is at the door, do not open it." They stress that bogus callers can be of any gender or age, including children, and may employ various tactics to distract homeowners.
Steps for Verifying a Caller's Identity
To ensure safety, residents are advised to follow a strict verification process for any unexpected visitor claiming to be from a company or utility service.
- Always ask for identification. A genuine caller will expect this and will not object.
- Do not use contact details provided by the caller. Instead, find the company's official phone number from a recent bill, a statement, or the telephone directory.
- Call the company directly to confirm that they have sent a representative to your address.
- Never feel pressured to agree to services or allow someone inside.
Emergency Procedure
If a caller refuses to leave your property after being asked, do not hesitate to call the police on 999 immediately. This is considered an emergency situation.
A Warning from a Council Cabinet Member
Cllr Shelley Powell, the Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods, provided a direct statement on the issue, urging residents to be vigilant. She highlighted the deceptive nature of these individuals, who can often appear very convincing.
"It’s really important that residents use reputable tradespeople and check for identification before progressing with any works to be undertaken at their home. It can be easy to think you’re getting a bargain from a cold caller to your home, but it’s likely it will end up costing you much more."
Cllr Powell also noted the professional appearance that many bogus callers adopt to build trust with their potential victims.
"Bogus callers have vans and uniforms and may leaflet an area before making cold calls to your home," she explained. "Published freephone numbers divert to their mobile phones and should always be checked for their authenticity. Our advice is simple – if in any doubt, keep them out!"
How to Report Suspicious Activity
The council and local authorities are encouraging the public to report any and all suspicious encounters. This helps them track patterns and protect other vulnerable residents in the community.
For any work that needs to be done on your property, the official advice is to seek at least three quotes from reputable companies. Avoid making on-the-spot decisions with people who turn up unannounced.
If you suspect a crime is in progress or feel threatened, call the police on 999. To report a suspected bogus caller or a scam after the event, residents should contact Trading Standards through the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133.