Police are urging members of the public to be cautious when dealing with callers after receiving reports of a man ringing up and asking residents if they have been involved in an accident. Police have taken several calls in the past two days in relation to a man who claims to be working for 'the accident investigation bureau' in London. He then asks whether you have been involved in an accident and asks further questions in order to obtain personal information. Officers believe this is another phone scam and are again urging residents not to give out personal details to unsolicited callers. If you are contacted by anyone you do not know please think before responding - don't answer personal questions and never give out information about yourself or your bank details if you are unsure. At your door - always ask for identification. If you are in any doubt close the door on the caller. Genuine visitors will not mind if you say you will call their company to check they are who they claim to be, but always use the phone number in the telephone directory rather than one supplied by the caller. If you suspect you have been targeted please call police using 999. On the phone - take details of the caller and what they want and say you will call them back. Then do your own research as to whether they are genuine, (for example if they claim to be from your bank find the bank telephone number and check whether the name and number relate to someone working for the organisation) before returning the call. This gives you time to think and, again, genuine organisations will not mind this. Please be cautious when dealing with any unsolicited callers.

Police Direct Team

Metal thefts

Businesses and members of the public are being urged to be vigilant and report any suspicious persons or vehicles to the police, following a number of thefts of metal and associated items over the past two months.

In December 2009 there were at least 30 instances of theft of items such as scrap metal, cabling, lead from roofs, car batteries and components and pipes and plumbing supplies. So far in January 2010 (to 27th) there have been at least 46 reported thefts across Suffolk.

The value of metal has increased over time, and people should be vigilant in protecting their property and that of their neighbours. Owners of properties vulnerable to metal theft are urged to make their buildings and sites as secure as possible to keep criminals out. Where possible it is advised to use security lighting to deter thieves, and CCTV can also deter as well as capturing images of offenders and their vehicles. All gates and entrances to premises should be properly secured. Valuable property can be marked and photos taken, to identify it if it_s recovered. Industrial Watches are in place in many areas, contact your Community Watch Liaison Officer on 01473 613500 for further details.

In some cases several thousand pounds worth of metal in its various forms has been stolen from premises, which takes a considerable amount of time to remove and a vehicle to transport. Any sightings of persons acting suspiciously near building sites or any property with lead roofing, or cold calling looking for scrap metal should be reported to police.

Anyone with any information about metal theft should contact Suffolk Police on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Or

Please use the following link to pass any useful information to Suffolk Police about this incident.

http://www.suffolk.police.uk/News+And+Appeals/Report+Information+To+The+Police/Tell+The+Police.htm

DO NOT USE THIS LINK IN AN EMERGENCY OR IN A SITUATION THAT REQUIRES AN IMMEDIATE POLICE RESPONSE WHEN YOU SHOULD RING 999.

Rogue traders

Rogue traders are active in the area. Best advice is always to say "No thank you" to doorstep traders. Remember:

1. LOCK - Keep your front and back doors locked, even when at home.

2. STOP - Before you answer the door, stop and think if you are expecting anyone. Check that you have locked any back door and taken the key out. Look through the spy-hole or the window to see who it is.

3. CHAIN - If you decide to open the door, put the door chain or bar on first. Keep the chain or bar on while you are talking to the person on the doorstep. (Normally when the door is shot and locked, leave the chain or bar off in case you need to get out in an emergency.

4. CHECK - Check their details and identity before you let them into your home, Do not agree to any work being done or sign a contract until after you have talked to someone else. If it is someone looking for help only go out to help if you have someone else with you. Don't worry if you chose not to go to help - it's not rude or unfriendly. If it is someone claiming to be an official, ask for and carefully check their identity card, make sure the caller's name and picture are the same as on the identity card, even if the visit is pre-arranged. A genuine caller will be happy to make an appointment to call and will carry an identity card with a photograph. They won't mind waiting if you want to phone and confirm their identity. Remember there is the facility in place for the utility companies to have a password to use when visiting.

If you want work done then ensure you emploiy a reputable person. Trading Standards are in the process of drawing up a list of 'Trusted Traders', but word of mouth can also be a good indicator. Get at least 3 estimates from traders that you are able to obtain a landline phone number and an address, before making up your mind.

Telephone scams

Beware of telephone scams, for instance you have won the 'lottery' or a 'holiday' and please forward 'X' amount of money to process your winnings. Another recently circulated involves persons claiming to be from a money collection service (in this instance BT) in an attempt to obtain credit card details. Another attempts to get a person away from the premises by claiming that a friend or relative had been involved in an accident and has been taken to hospital. The final scam reported recently is an old scam usually aimed at businesses looking for payment or donations for including some form of advertising in a booklet or wall-chart or similar, often claiming to be a charitable society, in this instance the caller requested the date of birth of the person he was speaking to then used this an an order number when demanding payment.

In all these cases the advice is;

(a) Do not provide ANY personal information to anybody who phones you.

(b) Check the information provided by the caller, obtain the name and address of the company, the name of the caller, and include a phone number. These can all be checked independently.

(c) If you have not, nor have any recollection of agreeing to an advertising contract, question the caller and ask for proof or put these points in a letter.

(d) If it is to do with debt you know nothing about request that they forward to you a copy of the contract.

(e) Lotteries DO NOT ask for payment to process winnings. Remember if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.