Bogus callers offer 'safety checks' (From Witney Gazette)

Bogus callers offer 'safety checks'

9:00am Friday 18th August 2006

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PEOPLE are being warned not to be taken in by telephone callers offering to visit their homes to carry out fire and electrical safety checks.

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service has issued the warning after at least two householders in the Witney area were contacted last week by 'bogus' callers.

The fire service said none of its staff was responsible for making the calls, and warned people to beware.

Those responsible for the calls had been 'over-familiar and pushy', and tried to get details of people living at the addresses.

Oxfordshire's chief fire officer, John Parry, director for community safety at the county council, said: "There are many rogues operating across the county, so householders should check a stranger's identification card through a window, or ask for the card to be passed through the letterbox.

"Do not open the door unless you are absolutely certain that the caller is who they claim to be," he added.

Free home risk assessments, including fire and electrical checks, are available from Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service by calling 0800 325999.

Mr Parry said people could check that anyone claiming to be a firefighter was genuine by calling 01865 842999.

Anyone who receives suspicious phone calls should call police, on 08458 505505.

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