When you consider your home security it’s not just about the different alarms and locks you can get for your property, it is also about being aware of other risks that could potentially compromise the security of your home. It is important to educate yourself about these potential risks to learn how to avoid them and keep your family and home safe from burglars.
Unfortunately burglar scams, more commonly known as “Door to Door Scams” are becoming more and more common. However by educating yourself and family on the tactics they use then you can actively reduce the risk of your home becoming a potential target.
To find out more on these common burglar scams and reduce your chances of falling victim to one then read on for more information.
The Knocker Scam
This is possibly the most common burglar scam! It managed to make the news and authorities issued out warnings against it. The way in which it works is quite simple really. Burglars pose as Door to Door salesmen offering items such as cleaning products, but their real purpose is to evaluate your home security, valuables and asses when your home is most likely to be empty.
Once all the nessacary information has been gathered they then report back to other members involved in the scam and get ready to make their move on your property in coming weeks.
A simple way to avoid becoming a victim of this scam would be to have a chain mechanism attached to your front door to stop burglars being able to see into your property or just simply don’t answer the door to sellers and let them into your property.
Fake Utility Worker Scam
Two people are involved in this scam. They will turn up at your property posed as utility workers claiming there is an emergency, such as a gas leak, that requires immediate attention. One of them will stay with you and keep you distracted while the other has free roam of your property taking whatever valuables and money they can see.
This scam works quite well as the thought of a problem with one of your utility’s that needs fixing immediately can cause you to panic, and if you do refuse to let them in your property they will threaten you with a fine.
There is a simple solution to avoiding this scam. If you have received no prior warring from your utility provider that there will be a visit for a maintenance check or repair works then you can simply refuse to let the fake workers in your property as they do not have the authority to issue a fine. If this isn’t enough to get rid of them then a threat to call the police should have them on their way quick enough!
Fake Authority Scams
Another burglar scam is one where the burglar pretends to be a census surveyor. They will turn up at your property and start to ask for personal information such as:
- Financial Status
- Where you work
- If you have children
- National insurance numbers
The reason this scam is quite successful is because we tend to trust ‘official’ people.
To avoid falling victim to this scam make sure whenever someone ‘official’ turns up at your door make sure they have the correct paperwork and identification to prove they are who they say they are.
For the most part all these scams can be easily avoided as long as you know what to look out for. If you do recognise anyone in your local area attempting one of these scams then it is important to inform the authorities to help catch and stop the scam artists. As an extra precaution you can always look at having a burglar alarm installed and possibly upgrade your locks to more secure locks.
For more information on home security and burglar scams contact Easy Pickings Locksmiths on 0113 805 0761