Doorstep scammers dupe OAP into believing neighbour has coronavirus then ransacks house

North Wales Police are warning people about a new coronavirus related scam officers have been alerted targeting elderly people in Flintshire.  ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Police say criminals have called at properties, told the elderly occupant that their neighbour has COVID-19. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The householder is asked to go and get a cloth with Dettol on it. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The criminals have then followed them in and ransacked the house and stolen items. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

@DeesideDotCom @wrexham
NEW SCAM
Criminals have called at properties, told the elderly occupant that their neighbour has #Covid , asked them to go and get a cloth with Dettol on it.They have followed them in, ransacked the house, stolen items
Don’t answer the door to strangers pic.twitter.com/jHGVgovbyP ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

— Diogelwch Cymunedol Y Dwyrain / Com Safety East (@NWPComSafEast) April 8, 2020 ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

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Advice on doorstep scams:  ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Doorstep scams take place when someone comes to your door and tries to scam you out of your money or tries to gain access to your home.  ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Doorstep scammers aren’t always pushy and persuasive, they may seem polite or friendly. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

So if you’re not expecting someone it’s important to be vigilant when you answer the door, especially if you live on your own. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

It can be very easy to fall victim to a scam, but you can be scam savvy if you know what to look out for. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

If someone does come to the door, it’s important to remember the following: ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

• Only let someone in if you’re expecting them or they’re a trusted friend, family member or professional. Don’t feel embarrassed about turning someone away.
• Don’t feel pressured. Don’t agree to sign a contract or hand over money at the door. Think about it and talk to someone you trust.
• Check their credentials. You should always check someone’s credentials – a genuine person won’t mind. You can phone the company they represent or check online, but never used contact details they give you.
• Don’t share your PIN. Never disclose your PIN number or let anyone persuade you to hand over your bank card or withdraw cash.
• Call the police. Call the police non-emergency number 101 if you’re not in immediate danger but want to report an incident. But call 999 if you feel threatened or in danger. 

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