27/3/2008

Local News

Burglar alarm con claimed police link

A CAMBERLEY woman avoided becoming the victim of a scam after she realised something was amiss about two calls she received from people trying to sell her a burglar alarm.
The elderly resident, who did not wish to be named, was contacted by a man who claimed he was from Camberley Police Station. He said he was offering her crime prevention advice and the chance to get a burglar alarm fitted for £299.
Police in Camberley are now warning residents to be on their guard following this attempted security scam last week.
The caller told the woman he could fit a security alarm in her house for £299, which would be connected to the police station. The man gave her a code number and told her to quote it when his colleague phoned back in half an hour with the name of the officer who would be visiting.
When the woman received a second call, this time from a female, she gave her the code number as requested and was then informed that the alarm would cost £3,000 – a further £299 to fit it and an extra £40 per month to be linked to the police station.
The resident told the woman she was not interested and put the phone down.
DC Karen Andrews, who is investigating the incident, said: “The resident in this case did the right thing by putting the phone down and contacting the police.
“We want to make other residents in the borough aware of this scam and to advise that no one from Surrey Police or Camberley Police Station is involved in selling any type of alarm.
“We will offer crime prevention advice only.
“Surrey Police is continuing to make people aware of the methods of distraction burglars to prevent them becoming a victim of crime.”
DC Andrews would be keen to hear from anyone who may have received a similar phone call recently. Please phone Surrey Police on 0845 125 2222 quoting reference number D/08/4380 or Crimestop-pers which can be contacted anonymously and free of charge on 0800 555 111

First printed in: Surrey Hants Star