Scottish Water highlights 'three Cs' rule to beat bogus callers

HOUSEHOLDERS are being urged by Scottish Water to use the “three Cs” rule to help beat conmen who might take advantage of the clocks going back.

The advice is that three simple steps – Card, Check and Call – should be followed to confirm the identity of anyone calling at the door asking to carry out work.

With clocks going back this weekend, customers are being asked to be vigilant with the onset the winter months.

Last winter there were seven incidents of bogus callers across the country with conmen purporting to be carrying out work on water networks.

Scottish Water’s chief operating officer Peter Farrer said: “Scottish Water employees are in local communities every day of the year and are highly visible. Unfortunately, there are some who take advantage of the essential work we do by posing as bogus water employees.

“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 Cs rule: Card – Check – 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. If you are unconvinced by a caller to your door, contact the police straight away.”

The details of the “three Cs” are:

• 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 call the customer helpline on 0800 0778778. Customers are advised 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.

Further information is available at www.scottishwater.co.uk/boguscaller

Customers can now receive free texts to keep up to date about Scottish Water’s work or service updates, such as having no water supply – text “Update” with your postcode to 82228.

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