Following the news that of the 12,000 reported bogus caller incidents in 2007 roughly half of the impostors claimed some connection with the ‘Water Board,’ Labour Assembly Member for Mid and West Wales JOYCE WATSON AM is joining the Consumer Council for Water in Wales in calling for consumers to be extra vigilant against distraction burglars or bogus callers.
JOYCE WATSON AM said: “Although thieves may show up on the doorstep posing as water workers, remember that water company employees will try whenever possible to make an appointment before visiting a property.
“Bogus callers are particularly vile because they tend to prey on the elderly and the vulnerable, and on people who live alone.
“Genuine water company employees will be more than happy to wait while you verify their credentials, and will never insist on gaining entry to your home. If in doubt, turn them away and call your water company.”
The following advice has been issued for consumers:
- Be especially wary of anyone saying that they are from 'the Water Board' as there are no water boards, only water companies and a true water company employee will name the water provider, and carry a company identification card.
- Before opening the door to any stranger, stop. If the door has a chain, use it, and ask to see a form of identification. Have the visitor hand their identification through the door or letter box, and call the water company to confirm that the visit is legitimate and the identification is not a fake. A genuine water company employee will happily wait while the necessary checks are made. If unsure, don't open the door!
- If the visitor claims to have left the identification card at home or in their vehicle turn them away. If he or she becomes aggressive at any time, keep them outside your door and immediately call 999.
- Customers who would feel safer with an extra layer of protection against bogus callers are encouraged to register a password with their water company. All water companies have password schemes available in which the customer can choose his or her own password. Some companies' password schemes have provisions for deaf and blind customers.
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