Tyrone residents urged to verify door-to-door cold callers

Residents across Tyrone are being urged by police to ensure people knocking at their doors are who they are after a rise in reports of suspicious cold callers.

The warning comes as darker nights set in and criminals may see this as an opportunity to prey on vulnerable people in particular.

Chief Superintendent Gerry McGrath said, “Most callers are genuine however a small number of criminals take advantage of vulnerable people on their doorstep.

“Criminals will sometimes pose as staff from utility companies to gain access to your home or your details. Genuine staff will always carry clear identification and be happy to show it to you. We want to encourage people to report incidents where cold calling is witnessed or experienced.”

The superintendent says officers will take an “active role” in verifying the legitimacy of cold callers.

They are particularly interested in instances where people have been approached by cold callers who say they’re from utility companies. Superintendent McGrath added, “We should state that whilst not all cold-callers are disingenuous some may have sinister motives for their calling.”

He explained, “Consider this, has the caller been to your neighbours’ addresses as well as yours?  Has he caller shown a formal identification card?  If the answer is ‘no’ to both these questions it might be likely that the caller is not legitimate.

“If you feel uncertain about any cold-caller please contact Police on 101 and report the matter.  Police will review the incident and inform the caller of the legitimacy or otherwise of those involved.”

“I’m also making a direct appeal to friends and loved ones of older people, or those who are vulnerable in our communities to please, take a few minutes and have a conversation with them about what they can do to help protect themselves and their homes,” the superintendent added.

Residents are advised not to grant access to your property until you are confident they are who they say they are. If in doubt, you can ring the police on 101 or in an emergency, 999.

The 101 number also offers the QucikCheck service in which you can confirm the identity of a purported utility company representative at your door.

For further advice and information visit www.nidirect.gov.uk/scamwiseni or the ScamwiseNI Facebook page @scamwiseni.

If you have any concerns about unsolicited calls, emails or letters then please report it to Action Fraud via their website www.actionfraud.police.uk or by phoning 0300 123 2040.  You can also call police on the non-emergency number 101.