9 June 2008
Thames Water's dedicated helpline is open 24-hours a day, all year round. Telephone: 0845 641 0069
Thames Water has joined forces with water companies across the UK to tackle bogus caller crime by launching a nationwide awareness campaign.
The campaign 'Knock, knock! Who's there? Be stranger aware!' launching today, is supported by the Home Office, the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), Water UK and the Consumer Council for Water (CCWater) and aims to raise awareness to all age groups to help prevent this distressing crime.
Statistics show that around 35 bogus caller crimes are committed every day but this may be only 10% of the total number of incidents that actually take place, as victims are often too embarrassed to come forward.
To step up efforts to tackle this crime, Thames Water has introduced a new dedicated bogus caller helpline, open 24-hours a day, that customers can call to check the identity of visiting representatives. The helpline will direct the customer straight through to a Thames Water call agent who will deal personally with the case.
Mike Tempest, Director of Customer Service at Thames Water, said:
"Over 60 per cent of bogus caller crimes are carried out by criminals pretending to be from a water company - often claiming to be from the non-existent 'water board'. Vulnerable customers, particularly the elderly, can fall prey to these con men, who can be very convincing. We as water companies have a responsibility to do all we can to help our customers avoid becoming victims.
"As well as setting up a dedicated bogus caller helpline, Thames Water operates a doorstep password scheme that all our customers can join. Customers can register a personal password with us, so any caller claiming to be from Thames Water must provide the customer with their personal password before entering the property. If the caller cannot give the password, customers must keep the door shut and telephone us straight away to verify. It just takes one phone call to our Customer Centre on 0845 9200 800 to join the scheme and guarantee peace of mind".
Superintendent Simon Nickless, from the Association of Chief Police Officers, 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 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."
North East football legend, Jack Charlton, the water industry trade body Water UK, and Age Concern are also backing the campaign.
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."
Chief Executive of Water UK, Pamela Taylor, commented:
"It is a great concern of 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 agencies including the Home Office and ACPO, demonstrates how seriously the industry is taking the issue of tackling this heinous crime, which can devastate someone's life in a matter of minutes. Some never recover from it – particularly if they have lose treasured possessions.
"If you are unsure about the identity of a person claiming to be from a water company, don't let them into your home. Customers can ring their water company to confirm the caller's identity and genuine employees will not mind waiting while these checks are carried out. Password schemes also give customers further protection and peace of mind – anyone needing to gain access into a customer's home will know and use the password."
Football legend, Jack Charlton, 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."
