less than 1 min read
24th April 2019
24th April 2019
Student Warned Over Cold Callers
Students should beware of conmen that prey on student households
The conman may knock at residential housing, creating various fictional stories and asking for a small amount of money, while all the time scanning the premises for valuables and return later to burgle the property.
Some sample scenarios that they might use are:
- A person will call at your door under the pretence that they are locked out of his/her home and need to use your phone to contact someone.
- The person's car has broken down and need a screw driver or other tool - be very careful as these could be used as a weapon against you.
- They act distressed and say that someone close to them has just died (son, daughter) and they need money to get a taxi.
You might ask why the conman does this. Well it helps them form a picture of:
- Who lives in the house?
- When the house if free?
- What kind of valuables they own?
Michael Masterson at Cover4Insurance says:
"It is vital that students challenge anyone that calls at their door to make sure they are genuine. If you are concerned, feel threatened or intimidated by a cold caller you should report this to the police."
Personal Safety Tips in the home
- If you hear someone enter your home at night, do not confront the intruder; where possible call the police, if you don't have access to a phone then turn on a light and make a loud noise, hopefully this will scare them off.
- During the summer months ventilation may be essential but control this by using security stops on your windows.
- Keep all valuable items out of sight.
- Draw your curtains after dark.
- Install and use a door chain and viewer.
- Ask the caller's name every time you answer the door; never open the door until you are sure who is there.
- If the caller claims to be an official, ask for proof of identity. Take your time to check the ID is correct and satisfy yourself that it is genuine, If you are in any doubt ask the person to wait/call back while you call the company they claim to be from to make sure.
- If you lose your door keys or move into a new home change your locks immediately.
- Never hide a spare key outside the house.
- If a stranger asks to use your telephone in an emergency, offer to make the call yourself and leave them outside.
- Ask your landlord to install a light outside so that you can see callers at night.
- When answering the phone just say "hello" never give information about yourself such as name, address or telephone number. If the caller asks what number is this - ask what number did they dial and confirm if they are right or wrong.
When returning home
- When returning to an empty house, press the doorbell. If an intruder is inside they will prefer to leave quickly rather than risk a confrontation.
- If you arrive by taxi ask the driver to wait until you are inside your home.
- Have your keys ready to let yourself in quickly; don't leave them in the bottom of a bag so you have to search for them.
- If there are signs of intrusion when you return home, do not enter, call the police and go to a trusted neighbour and wait for the police to arrive.