Anyone can be a victim of a bogus caller or rogue trader – so don’t let your doorstep be their marketplace.
That’s the message to every householder in Scotland as Police Scotland launches a campaign to raise awareness under Operation Monarda.
Between April and September 2017, 336 victims of doorstep crime were defrauded out of around £420,000. While most victims were considered vulnerable in some way (54%), or were of pensionable age (79%), a significant proportion were outwith these groups which are traditionally targeted by such offenders.
Bogus callers will visit a property claiming to be from perhaps a utility company or a charity in order to gain access and steal from within.
Rogue traders offer services typically carried out to a poor standard at over inflated prices, and may use violence or threats to get payment or consent to carry out work – sometimes they will just take the money and do no work whatsoever.
During the campaign police officers across Scotland will be running events and stalls to speak to the public at key locations such as banks, garden centres and supermarkets, as well as events giving advice to partner organisations and their clients such as care providers, groups that support those with dementia, and Citizens Advice Scotland.
In the North-East stalls can be found at:
• Tuesday 22 May, 10am-1pm at Tesco, Harlaw Road, Inverurie
• Tuesday 22 May, 10am-1pm at The Spotty Bag Shop, Old Market Place, Banff
• Thursday 24 May, 10am-1pm at Tesco, Rousay Drive, Aberdeen
• Thursday 24 May, 10am-1pm at Asda, Muirend Road, Portlethen
• Friday 25 May, 10am-1pm at Sainsbury’s, Berryden Road, Aberdeen.