Beat Bogus Callers in Highlands and Islands with Scottish Water's 3 C's

4th November 2011

With the clocks going back and the nights drawing in, Scottish Water is advising communities throughout the Highlands and Islands to beat Bogus Callers by using 3 C's: CARD, CHECK and CALL.

* Card - You can ask callers to pass their ID card or letter through the letter box in order to verify their identity.

* Check - Check the identity card carefully. Is the photo on the card the same as the person at the door? Does the card contain the Scottish Water Customer Helpline number? Has the card been tampered with in any way?

If you are not confident that they are a genuine caller, send them away.

* Call - If you are in any doubt about the caller's identity please call the Scottish Water Customer Helpline on 0845 601 8855. Customers are advised to contact utility companies by using phone numbers found in telephone directories or the internet, but never from ID cards or letters presented, because these could be false. If you are still suspicious contact a neighbour or call the police.

More details are available on-line at www.scottishwater.co.uk/boguscaller.

Scottish Water's Customer Service Delivery Director, Peter Farrer, is advising customers to remain alert:

"As our investment programme to deliver clearer, fresher drinking water and improve the natural environment across Scotland continues, Scottish Water workers are highly visible in towns and villages across the country. However, there are those who would take advantage of this essential work by posing as bogus water employees.

"On occasion when we need access to customer's property we normally try to contact them in advance and arrange a suitable time. However, there may be occasions when we need to cold-call, but all our staff carry ID badges and are happy to display these on arrival. We never call at a customer's home to collect money; or enter homes to check plumbing for leaks or to switch off the mains.

In a bid to help protect customers against Bogus Callers, Scottish Water is again offering an Anti Bogus Caller Pack which contains a personal electronic alarm, window sensor, door viewer, UV Marker Pen and guard bar. Packs are available to the first 50 customers contacting Scottish Water by emailing customermarketing[AT]scottishwater.co.uk.