Scottish Water is urging Lanarkshire customers to help stop bogus callers by using its "three Cs" advice to beat callous conmen who might take advantage of the clocks going back an hour.
The organisation is reminding people, including the vulnerable and elderly, that with the clocks having gone back on Sunday, they should be "vigilant and aware of the risk of becoming a victim of bogus callers at any time including when it is darker in the mornings, afternoons and early evenings".
If Scottish Water knocks on your door, check its staff members' photo IDs and follow its "three Cs" advice: Card, Check and Call.
Card - Anyone calling on behalf of Scottish Water, whether it is a Scottish Water employee or a contractor working on its behalf in your area, will always carry a photo ID card or letter. You should always ask callers to pass their ID card or letter through the letterbox so that you can check their identity.
Check - Check the ID card carefully. Is the photo on the ID card the same as the person at the door? Has the card been tampered with in any way? If you are not confident that they are a genuine caller, then send them away.
Call - If you are in any doubt about the caller’s identity, before you open the door please call the customer helpline on 0800 0778 778 and Scottish Water can help you confirm the caller is genuine. The organisation advises customers to contact utility companies by using phone numbers found in telephone directories or the internet, but not from ID cards or letters, because these could be false.
Peter Farrer, Scottish Water’s chief operating officer, told Lanarkshire Live : “We work in local communities across Scotland every day of the year. Our own workers are highly visible and unfortunately there are occasionally people who take advantage of the essential work we do by posing as bogus water employees.
“So, we would like to remind all our customers of our essential advice; if we knock on your door, check our photo ID and follow our 'Three C’s' advice - Card, Check and Call.
“All our employees, and anyone working on our behalf, carry photo ID which they will happily show on request, so don’t let anyone into your home until you are sure of their identity.
“If you are on your own or feel you need more support then call a neighbour or a friend, and if you are at all worried or unconvinced by a caller, then please contact the police straight away."
Further information is available online.
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