Water UK

Water industry launches national campaign to fight bogus caller crime

09/06/08

This has sparked action from water companies, who are joining forces with police and government to raise national awareness of the callous confidence tricksters who prey on the elderly and vulnerable.

Water companies across the UK are stepping up efforts to tackle bogus caller crime by launching a nationwide awareness campaign. Statistics show that around 35 bogus caller crimes are committed every day, but this might only be 10% of the total that actually take place because victims are often too embarrassed to come forward.

The national campaign, supported by the Home Office, the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), Water UK and the Consumer Council for Water (CCWater), aims to raise national awareness among all age groups to help prevent this distressing crime. All groups will use the new strapline: Knock Knock! Who’s There? Be Stranger Aware!

Hazel Blears, Secretary of State for Communities, said:

"Most people who call at your home will be genuine. But sadly sometimes those who turn up unannounced, often posing as a utility company official, will be bogus. However there are some simple precautions that can be taken to ensure that those who may be at risk are better protected.

"I very much welcome the work the UK water industry along with Age Concern and the police are doing to combat this particularly malicious crime that affects the most vulnerable people in our communities."

Pamela Taylor, Chief Executive, Water UK, said:

"It is a great concern in the water industry that more than 50 per cent of bogus caller crime is committed by people who pretend to be from a water company. The national awareness campaign and our partnerships with the Home Office, ACPO and CCWater show how seriously the companies are tackling this terrible crime, which can devastate someone’s life in minutes. Some victims never recover – particularly if they’ve lost treasured possessions.

"If you’re unsure about the identity of a person claiming to be from a water company, don’t let them into your home. Customers can call their water company to confirm the caller’s identity and genuine employees won’t mind waiting while these checks are carried out. Password schemes can give customers further protection and peace of mind – anyone needing to gain access into a customer’s home will know and use the password."

Don Pape, who is 79 and from Newcastle-upon-Tyne,
became a victim of bogus callers when he had his £2,500 savings stolen by three men pretending to be from a water company. Don had been saving the money to pay for his funeral. The great-grandfather, who has lived in his home for 55 years, appealed to people to be vigilant:

"I never thought this would happen to me. I opened the door without thinking to three men who said there had been a water leak and they needed to check my taps. Usually I am on the ball, but I didn’t ask for identification and just let them in."

Superintendent Simon Nickless, ACPO, said:

“Any burglary can cause distress, however, those suffering bogus caller crimes are often more vulnerable people through their age or mobility. ACPO welcomes any initiative that helps prevent these crimes occurring.

"Today’s launch is all about encouraging people to ask questions, not to be pressurised to open the door and to ask for identification. If you are unsure, do not let the caller in and contact the police.

"Simple steps can be put in place for unexpected callers, including door chains, spy holes, uninvited caller stickers. It is recommended that people don’t keep large amounts of money in their houses and we would encourage family, carers and neighbours to check that safeguards are in place."

"Offenders often travel long distances and the police actively target them through sharing intelligence, including operations such as Rogue Trader, a joint operation with agencies including Trading Standards are proving effective."

Vernon Coaker, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Crime Reduction, said:

"I welcome this initiative from the water industry. Distraction burglary is a particularly unpleasant crime that affects the most vulnerable members of society. Whilst burglary has fallen by nearly 60 per cent since 1995 we are committed, together with our partners, to driving it down further. Initiatives like this will make a vital contribution to making people safer."

Dame Yve Buckland, National Chair, CCWater, said:

"People need to understand that they are entirely within their rights to turn a visitor away if they feel uncomfortable, or unhappy with the information presented. No water company will insist on entry to your home."

Jack Charlton, football legend, who is 73, wants to encourage all ages to be vigilant:

"I am supporting this campaign because it is a dreadful crime often with appalling consequences. These criminals are well-organised and play on peoples’ emotions. Most people have an elderly or vulnerable friend or relative and we urge them to pass our advice on to them."

Gordon Lishman, Director General of Age Concern, said:

"This is a very welcome initiative. Unfortunately older people can be particularly vulnerable to bogus callers who will stop at nothing to con them out of their hard earned cash. Raising awareness of the importance of playing it safe and always checking credentials should help prevent older people from being tricked by these calculating thieves."

Ends

For more information please contact:

Water UK
Karen Thompson, 020 7344 1809

Communities and Local Government
Jane Houghton, Hazel Blear’s office, 020 7944 3963

ACPO
Alexandra Coleman, 020 7084 8949

CCWater
Dominic Stanley, 0121 345 1076

Notes

The UK water companies have come together and agreed to:

 •  a national cold calling protocol detailing the most appropriate way for water workers to approach vulnerable and elderly customers
 •  share best practice and information
 •  strengthen partnerships with local police forces and other appropriate agencies, including Age Concern
 •  ensure awareness and advice relating to bogus caller crime reaches all age groups from young children to the elderly
 •  improve methods in which they communicate advice on how to avoid being a bogus caller victim, including utilising customer letters, literature, websites, talks to appropriate groups and the media
 •  adopt a national strapline to brand the campaign – Knock knock! Who’s there? Be stranger aware!