Hi Everyone,  

Following up on the last post about scams I wanted to remind people about bogus callers / doorstep crime. Again please consider this for yourself and any vulnerable friends and family.  

If you are considering getting work done – gardening, roofing, building work etc obtain quotes from companies you have independently researched not from cold callers.  

You should never agree to have work done by someone who is just passing by ‘cold calling’ you. 

Be wary if a company asks you to pay a large sum up front without having carried out any work, offers to take you to the bank to withdraw money or asks for further unexpected payments.

Use The Edinburgh Trusted Trader Scheme to find tradespeople who have been checked and vetted by both Police and Trading Standards officers.

https://www.trustedtrader.scot/Edinburgh/ or by phoning 0131 513 9921

Please consider the following points when answering the door to unexpected callers - 

LOCK – Keep your doors locked, even when you are at home.
 
STOP – Before you answer, stop and think if you are expecting anyone. Check that you have locked the back door and taken the key out. Look through a door viewer (‘spy hole’) to see who it is.
 
CHAIN – If you decide to open the door, put the door chain or door bar on first if you have one. Keep the chain or bar on while you are talking to the person on the doorstep.
 
CHECK – Even if they have a pre-arranged appointment, check identity cards carefully. Close the door while you do this. If you are still unsure, look up a phone number in the phone book or online and ring the organization to verify their identity. Do not use a phone number on the identity card as this may be fake.
  

For further information on scams / bogus callers visit the Police Scotland website 

www.scotland.police.uk/advice-and-information/scams-and-frauds/   

or contact the local crime prevention team via

edinburghpreventandintervent@scotland.police.uk

If you think a bogus caller or doorstep criminal has called on you, or been in your street, report this to the police ‘101’ (non-emergency) or the Contact Us form on the Police Scotland web site 

If you would rather remain anonymous, you can report any incidents to 

Crime stoppers on 0800 555 111 / www.crimestoppers-uk.org