Distraction Burglaries
In addition to the distraction burglaries from people pertaining to be from utility companies, this new tack as reported by the Police may catch people unawares.

In the past week the man has visited a house in Pill near Portishead and two others in Bath. The suspect looks on Parish and Church noticeboards to get names and addresses of people attached to the local church. He then calls on these people asking to borrow money and claims that the vicar, whose name he uses in the conversation, has sent him along.

The man is described as 6-foot tall, in his late 20s and with a Scottish accent. This man is said to be very plausible and can easily win his victim’s confidence if given the chance to engage the victim in conversation. It is believed that he may have committed other offences in other parts of the country.

Anyone who receives an unknown and unexpected caller should not open the door until it is known who they are. Ask for identification and, if possible, verify this by checking with the company using the number printed in the phone book (do not take it from the identity card). Genuine callers will be happy to wait on the doorstep. Anyone suspicious should be reported to the police immediately.

Mobile Phone Scam

We have received details from E.Watch that if you receive a phone call on your mobile from any person, saying that he or she is a company engineer calling to check your mobile line and asking you to press #90 or #09 or any other number, end this call immediately without pressing any numbers. Should you press any of the numbers requested, the fraudsters will gain access to the details of your SIM card and be able to make calls at your expense.