Cold callers scam Slough elderly couple
Slough Borough Council’s trading standards team is warning residents to be vigilant of cold callers after an elderly couple were duped out of £250 for ‘council work’ to their trees.
Mr and Mrs Peters, aged 86 and 85 years old respectively, were subject to a cold call last week from, who they thought, were Slough council officers.
A smartly dressed man knocked on the Peters front door to inform them that he had carried out work in the area and noticed their fir tree needed cutting as it looked as though it could fall at any time.
The rogue con artists were driving in an unmarked white van and said they were working for Slough Borough Council and negotiated a price of £250 to trim the branches, lop the top and clear away the debris.
Two younger men then turned up to do the work but would not accept a cheque and insisted on driving Mrs Peters to a garage cash point to obtain the payment.
They then said that their lorry had broken down on the motorway and they would be back the next day to collect the debris.
Needless to say no one turned up.
Mrs Peters then called Slough Accord who said no one from their department had been doing any work in the area, but agreed to go out and move the trimmings from the Peters drive way.
Angela Satterly, principal technical enforcement officer for Slough Borough Council, said: “This was a terrible scam to happen to two elderly people who generally believed these con artists worked for the council.
“It is extremely worrying to hear that the men posed as council officers but that they insisted on driving Mrs Peters to a cash point for the money.
“I would urge all residents to be on their guard when people knock on their door. Think to yourself, am I expecting anybody? Check for ID with a photograph on it and if you are still unsure, then call the council.”
Commissioner for public protection, Cllr John Edward, said: “I find this type of crime especially disturbing.
“These criminals are duping the most vulnerable members of our community and what I find truly heart-wrenching is that these men persuaded Mrs Peters to get in their car and drive to a cash point for the money.
“I cannot stress enough that residents must verify who people are before letting them into their homes or allowing them to do any work for them.
“If residents feel at all uncomfortable, they should contact the Slough Borough Council’s trading standards team at 01753 875255.”
Before opening your door to a stranger, you should always:-
* Ask yourself if you are expecting anyone to call.
* If you have a chain on your door put it on.
* If they have arrived in a vehicle does it have clearly marked company lettering?
* Ask for their identification, if you still have doubts then you can get their office/ workplace number from the phone book, to check that they do work for the organisation they say.
* If you are still unsure of their identity, refuse them entry into your home and any work duties they might be offering.
If anyone has any concerns please contact Slough Borough Council’s trading standards team on 01753 875255.
Slough Borough Council