Thousands join up to Yorkshire Water doorstep security scheme (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Firm urges residents to help beat bogus officials

9:00am Monday 29th October 2012 in News By James Rush, T&A Reporter

Thousands of people across Bradford have signed up to a Yorkshire Water password scheme which is helping to crack down on bogus callers.

More than 7,000 of the Bradford-based company’s customers have signed up to the scheme in the district, which allows customers to register an agreed personal password with the company through a phone call.

Then, whenever they receive a phonecall or a visit to their property by someone claiming to be from Yorkshire Water, they just ask for the password.

The company has said if the caller cannot provide them with their password, residents should not, under any circumstances, let them into their property or continue with the phone call.

Yorkshire Water spokesman Matt Thompson said: “We’re determined to do everything we can to protect our customers from the evil scourge of bogus callers operating in Yorkshire.

“Unfortunately, we’re still seeing our customers falling prey to callous conmen who claim to be from Yorkshire Water or the ‘water board’ in order to gain entry into people’s properties and steal their possessions and money.

“That's why we're more keen than ever that all of our customers sign up to our free doorstep password scheme.

“It's easy to do and it just serves as another line of defence to help ensure you don't fall victim to evil conmen.

“Genuine Yorkshire Water employees won't mind waiting whilst their details are fully checked.”

The reminder to customers to be on their guard follows a number of recent incidents in the area where bogus callers have attempted, on occasion successfully, to enter people's properties by claiming they are from the company to steal their possessions and money.

To sign up to the scheme – or for existing users if upon receiving the correct password they still have concerns about the identity of the caller – contact the company on 0845 1242424.

For more information and advice on how to prevent yourself from falling victim to bogus callers, visit yorkshire water.com/boguscallers.