Unwitting residents may have been robbed of thousands of pounds by callous doorstep conmen without even realising it, police in Tayside have warned.
The revelation comes amid ongoing appeals regarding the “atrocious crimes” across the region but Tayside Division now believe that may be just the tip of the iceberg.
Police have launched a national blitz on bogus workmen, which will include a number of awareness events as well as targeted action.
Launching Operation Monarda, police said many victims will not even realise they have been cheated.
The crackdown will also encourage neighbours to look out for vulnerable members of the community and “have the confidence” to report any suspicious activity.
Superintendent Angela McLaren said: “These atrocious crimes often undermine the confidence of older or vulnerable individuals.
“Many fear a loss of independence and feel compelled to hand over large sums of money to bogus workmen or cold callers concerned in fraudulent activity.
“With assistance from partner agencies and community groups, we are working towards empowering communities to have the confidence to report suspicious activity.”
Police, business leaders and trading standards officials gathered in Dundee city centre yesterday to launch the crackdown.
Ms McLaren said that the campaign would focus on raising peoples’ “confidence” to report doorstep crime.
She added that police would also be looking to take a proactive approach to tackling bogus workmen, as part of a multi-pronged attack on con artists in Tayside.
She said: “The campaign will take on a three-tiered approach with attention given to prevention, intelligence and enforcement.
“Further awareness events are planned across Tayside providing information on steps to prevent becoming a victim of doorstep crime which may include distraction thefts from homes or rogue traders canvassing for work such as cleaning patios, cutting shrubbery or fixing roofs.
“I would encourage the public to attend these events and we will be delighted to offer information and advice to help Beat Doorstep Crime.”
Tayside Division has previously issued advice to householders on how to avoid becoming the victims of doorstep crime.
A spokeswoman said that conmen often scout an area and target elderly and vulnerable householders who take it on trust that those who call at their door are genuine.
“Every year, Tayside Division receives complaints from householders who have been left out of pocket due to so-called workmen who vanished, leaving jobs half done, or badly finished, typically having received a large cash sum in advance,” said a police spokeswoman.
“With no contact details, contract, invoice or business card, the victim has no way of tracing the workmen or so-called company.
“There are also bogus callers who knock at a door claiming to represent a company or authority with the sole intention of conning their way in, distracting the householder and stealing from them.”
There were more than 1000 incidents of doorstep crime across Scotland between August 1 2014 and February 13 2015, costing victims a total of around £400,000.
David Crawley from the charity Crimestoppers said: “As part of this commitment to helping all members of society, we are delighted to support this campaign which is focused on beating doorstep crime across Scotland.”
This type of crime often sees vulnerable and older people targeted, so if you have information regarding who is responsible, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on www.crimestoppers-uk.org.