Police have urged Tayside victims of doorstep scammers to come forward amid a spike in bogus workmen conning elderly and vulnerable people out of cash and valuables.
Officers explained that summer is peak season for fraudsters who offer to carry out gardening or construction work, which often ends up being sub-standard or not carried out at all after payment is made.
In other scenarios, scammers pose as council workers or representatives from other legitimate organisations, with the aim of gaining entry to homes where they proceed to steal.
Police explained that many people feel embarrassed after they’ve been defrauded — but that reporting the bogus callers is the only way to help stamp out the incidents.
Community officer PC David North: “These are crimes that tend to peak in spring and summer, due to gardening work and needing done, trees overhanging, people doing home improvements etc.
“Bogus workmen tend to be people masquerading as council workers or legitimate trades people, and they will offer to do work for people such as cutting trees down, paving driveways and fixing roofs.
“The work is often sub-par and costs an extortionate amount, or is never completed once money is handed over.
“Our advice to people is that if they need work done, don’t accept offers from doorstep callers — do your own research, contact those who are in the Trusted Traders scheme and get a few quotes from different companies.
“If someone you don’t know calls round, use the viewer on your door if you have one, or look out of the window.
“You don’t have to answer the door to anyone if you’re uncomfortable about it –it’s your home.”
PC North added that if presented with ID by a cold-caller, residents should always check their name with the company they claim to represent.
If anyone has suspicions about a cold-caller or has been the victim of a scam, they can contact 101.
In cases of harassment or aggression from a caller, residents are advised to call 999.
