At this time of year many householders are thinking of their gardens, keeping them tidy or seeing to those jobs that need done before the weather turns. This is also the same time of year for criminals to take advantage of this and prey on the unsuspecting. Highland Council and Police Scotland are again urging householders to be on their guard when an unexpected trader calls at the door.
This follows a report of distraction burglary tactics at a home in Inverness where an unexpected leaflet dropped through the letterbox offering landscape works. The householder responded and invited the bogus workmen to attend, a burglary took place shortly afterwards.
Mark McGinty, Trading Standards Team Leader, said: "This is a known commonly used tactic by the bogus workman. My best advice is, even if you are thinking about getting some gardening works done, do not respond to the leaflet and do not engage on your doorstep. Householders often give away information that can be exploited, meaning one way or another, the householder is out of pocket."
If you have been the victim of a crime having received a leaflet through your door or spoken with a bogus workman please report it to Police Scotland on 101, or Trading Standards on 01463 644570. If the crime is in progress please call 999.
Householders can also receive free and confidential advice if they have been approached by a bogus workman. Consumeradvice.scot is a dedicated consumer advice service to provide advice, assistance and information to people on a range of consumer issues and concerns. They can be contacted on 0808 164 6000 or alternatively by email at advice@consumeradvice.scot, or via webchat at www.consumeradvice.scot or on Facebook m.me/advice.scot.2