A WARNING has been issued to residents over cold callers pretending to be from a water board company in Bracknell.
The Public Protection Partnership, who deal with trading standards issues in Bracknell, shared a police alert.
Thames Valley Police have received several reports from worried neighbours in the last couple of days.
A number of residents have received phone calls from people pretending to be a water utility company.
Police said: "Cold calling in this way can be a cover for criminals planning more serious offences where they gain entry to a home by deception in order to steal while the occupant is distracted."
Distraction burglars use a number of ways to get inside people's properties, including pretending to be from a care agency, the council or a utility company investigating a gas or water leak.
Some burglars even seek help to leave a note for a neighbour or even ask for a drink of water if they claim they are thirsty or unwell.
In November 2020, a scam like this happened in Ascot where a man pretending to be from Anglian Water visited a woman's home.
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He first visited on Sunday, November 8, at 8:30am and again the following day, claiming he has been sent to carry out work on her property.
The woman reported this to police and her housing association company to find out if anyone was due to come. Her housing company said no one was booked to come to her house.
Residents have been issued advise on how to prevent distraction burglars from entering your home.
- Use your door viewer to see who is there and if you open the door put the chain on first
- Always ask for ID and check it with the company before letting someone into your home.
- Use the phone number advertised in the phone book or online, as the number on their identity card could be fake. For a utility company, call the customer service department and close the door while you do this
- For pre-planned appointments with utility companies, a password scheme can be set up
- If you feel threatened or in danger by the presence of the cold caller, call the police emergency number 999.
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