Brickhill

Free Burglar Alarm Scam

Fake Crime Prevention Awareness Services

News - 4th December 2017.

Bedfordshire Police Notice

Bedfordshire Police would like to advise you that we are getting some reports of elderly residents receiving unsolicited calls from a company calling themselves "Crime Prevention Awareness Services".

The caller states that they are working with Bedfordshire Police and offering to fit free burglar alarms. Bedfordshire Police would like to confirm that we are not working with such a company and suspect that whilst the alarm may be free, the recipient may be landed with an extortionate monitoring and maintenance contract. Whilst these types of calls are not illegal, they are highly unethical and use scare tactics to prey on elderly and vulnerable people.

In general, if you are not actively looking to fit an alarm to your home, please decline the services offered and report the incident to us on 101 (with as much information that you are able to glean). We would also be very grateful if this message could be passed onto your family, friends and neighbours.

However, if you have been thinking about improving your home security, please visit the official Trading Standards website www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk where you can search for a verified tradesperson in your area. We recommend getting 3 quotes and asking for a full specification with your quotes so that you can be sure of what you are paying for. Please find attached an advice sheet that will help you decide what system works best for you.

If you would like any further information about home security, please email crimereduction@bedfordshire.police.uk and one of the team will be happy to advise you.