Callers at your Door

 Police Scotland have issued the following information on rogue traders that travel from door to door.  There is a lot of good advice to stop you becoming a victim.

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 single homeowner and tenant 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.

For more information on Doorstep Crime please CLICK HERE to be taken to the Police Scotland website.