Stranger danger on the doorstep

IT’S a fact of life that the unscrupulous target trusting elderly and vulnerable people. Fundraising stalwart Vera Smith was one of the latest victims of a con merchant. The incident left the 76-year-old — known to thousands as Dobbyhorse Vera from her days running a children’s roundabout on Tommyfield market — badly shaken. And it prompted two men who face a constant battle to warn vulnerable people in Oldham against the dangers of being too trusting, to launch an awareness campaign. They spoke to reporter Marina Berry to help them get their message across.

Pete Lee is Oldham’s watch scheme administrator, and oversees the Homewatch scheme, which brings him into contact with distraught victims of conmen and women.

Tom Wolstencroft works for Oldham Council as service director of community wellbeing, which makes safeguarding vulnerable adults part of his job.

He said: “The people we work with are very trusting. They forget it is not such a nice world out there, they leave their windows and doors open and invite people into their homes without checking their identification.”

Statistics show that when recession hits, the number of incidents involving conmen and theft rises.

Pete explained: “A lot of theft is opportunistic. Thirty per cent of burglaries in Oldham are caused by insecurities.

“People make it easy for them — Billy the Burglar will walk into someone’s kitchen through an unlocked door and nick the milk money or the radio while the householder is watching ‘Coronation Street’ and doesn’t hear a thing.

“Then there are the people who leave wheeliebins under a window, and Billy thinks ‘that’s handy,’ climbs on the bin to get in, puts what he wants in the bin then wheels it away.

“And there is the bogus caller, and they don’t have to be the brain of Britain to find areas where large numbers of elderly people live.”

Tim added: “The most common excuse for conmen is to say they are from the water board and they have come to check the water.”

Householders are distracted by being sent upstairs to turn the taps on which leaves the culprits alone downstairs to rifle through their belongings.

“Yet,” said Tom, “people from water companies never ever have to go into someone’s house except in the rare occasions where there is a water meter inside.”

To check the identity of someone who claims to be from United Utilities get the number of the caller off their card, close the door and ring 0845 746 1100. Ignore any menus and ask the operator for extension 60300 and you will be told if the ID card is genuine.

Call the same number or use minicom 0808 143 1195 to arrange a password.

“There are millions of scams and the people who run them are very inventive,” said Tom.

“When times get hard, people find more creative ways of conning other people. It’s an ongoing battle, and no matter how much we spread the word there is always something new to warn about.”

Both Pete and Tom are keen to tell elderly people it is acceptable to shut the door on someone unless they are absolutely sure they are who they say they are.

“Any genuine person will not be offended,” said Tom. “People are too polite — they think it’s rude to leave someone outside and shut the door on them, but genuine callers are more than happy to wait outside until their identity is checked. “

Pete added: “You can’t always trust an identity card — I could run one off in a couple of minutes. Ring the company they say they are from to check — most now have a password system which the caller must give before being allowed into a house.”

People who do fall victim to a scam or a bogus caller should always report it.

Tom sent out a message to conmen working in the Oldham area.

“We are on the ball here and all the agencies, from social services, police and health work together.

“Health visitors and home helps are our eyes and ears and it’s surprising just how much they do hear and see.”


TOP TIPS FOR KEEPING SAFE

Keep both front and back doors locked, even when at home.

::Fit a spyhole.

::Use a door chain. Put it on only before opening a door so relatives can get in with a key in an emergency.

::Join a Homewatch scheme.

::People without a shredder should leave papers with personal details in water while they have a cup of tea. It will turn to pulp and can safely be put in the bin.

::Install an outside light

::If you let someone in, stay with them at all times.

::Never ring an 090 number unless you know how much the call will cost and what you will receive.

::If you are suspicious, ring the police on 0161- 872 5050.