Beware of Bogus Callers, Warns St Georges Community Housing

Published by JenCooke for St Georges Community Housing Ltd in Housing and also in Communities

St Georges Community Housing is urging Basildon tenants to be on their guard after an elderly tenant was given a false eviction notice by two bogus callers posing as housing association staff.

The men, who claimed to be from St Georges Community Housing, told the resident he would be evicted in two weeks and took paper work from his house on Friday 26^th November. It was only when he contacted St Georges Community Housing for clarification that their claim was disproved and staff became aware that bogus callers were operating in the area.

St Georges Community Housing is now working closely with Essex Police to identify the criminals and is warning tenants not to let anyone into their home if they do not have identification.

“Most people who knock at the door are genuine callers, but you can’t always be sure”, said Steve Shynn, chief executive of St Georges Community Housing. “All St Georges Community Housing staff have official identification badges so you should always ask to see this before letting anyone into your home. Most home visits are carried out after an appointment has been made with the tenant, so residents should be very wary of any cold callers.”

“This is a very serious incident and we are working closely with the police to bring these people to justice and ensure the safety of St Georges Community Housing residents. A lot of our work involves visiting tenants in their homes and we need to make sure people feel safe answering the door.”

Michael Armstrong, Crime Reduction Officer at the Basildon District of the South Western Division of Essex Police, said: "If someone calls at your door unexpectedly, you should inspect their identification and ask them to provide you with a phone number for their office and check their identity. Legitimate callers will be happy to reassure members of the public that they are who they say they are."

St Georges Community Housing have put together some tips to help tenants distinguish between genuine and bogus callers:

• Keep your front and back doors locked, even when you are at home
  • Consider whether you are expecting any visitors. Most St Georges Community Housing visits will be made after an appointment has been arranged in advance, so be wary of any cold callers
  • If you are not expecting a visit, put the door chain or bar on before you open the door.  Keep it on while you are talking to the person on the doorstep

• Ask for their ID card and take the time to check it properly. Call the company they say they are from, but do not use the number on the ID card as it might be fake, use the St Georges Community Housing number 0800 121 45 45
• Beware of callers who appear to be in a hurry or ask you to step outside the house.
• Do not hand over any personal documents  or money

If you are concerned, or a bogus caller has visited you please contact the Basildon District of the South Western Division of Essex Police immediately on 0300 333 4444