Distraction burglary is where a bogus caller tells lies to con their way into a home, or creates a diversion so an accomplice can sneak in.
Download Hampshire Constabulary's Distraction Burglary poster (.pdf, 118KB)
Because elderly or vulnerable people are often targeted, distraction burglary can have a devastating effect – victims can lose their confidence and peace of mind, as well as money and possessions.
How to avoid becoming a victim of distraction burglary
Hampshire Constabulary is committed to reducing distraction burglary, but police need the whole community to work together to keep out bogus callers. By following the advice below you can not only lessen your chances of becoming a victim, but also help others not to be targeted.
They’ll say anything
Bogus callers will say or do anything to gain entry to your home and because people are becoming more aware that they shouldn’t let anyone in, they are using increasingly devious tactics. Some of the lines bogus callers have recently used in Hampshire include:
- Playing for sympathy - “I’ve broken down, please can I use your phone?” “I don’t feel very well, could I use your toilet or get a glass of water?”
- Lost ball - “I’ve lost my ball/my son’s lost his ball, please could I look for it in your garden?”
- Good Samaritan - “I’ve just caught someone climbing out of your window, I think they might have stolen something. We need to check your money hasn’t been taken.”
- Using children - “Hello could my son and I come in to ask you some questions for his school project?”
- Fake emergency - “There’s a gas leak/flood in your road, I have to come in to turn off your supply.”
- Leaving a note - “I’ve popped round to see my aunty/friend who lives next door, but she’s out at the moment. Please could I borrow a pen and paper to leave a note.”
In a lot of cases the person who calls at the door will divert your attention while an accomplice sneaks into your house to search for valuables.
Taking precautions
Don’t open the door to anyone before you’ve checked who it is – look out of the window or use a spy hole in your door. If you open the door, keep the chain on while you find out who is calling and what they want. If you’re not expecting someone and you don’t know them, don’t let them into your home, no matter what they say to you.
If a caller is genuine they will understand your concerns. If someone claims to be from a company, such as a gas or electricity provider, always double check their identity – see the section below for tips on how to do that properly.
If someone is asking for a favour, such as to use your toilet, borrow a pen or retrieve a ball, don’t let them in. Instead direct them to a shop, office or public place. It’s only natural to want to help someone, but sadly that’s one of the techniques often used by distraction burglars. If you have any concerns about someone who has called at your door, call police immediately. If you have a chance try to note what they look like and any vehicle they have with them, so police can investigate.
Checking identification
If someone from a company calls at your door, even if you are expecting them, ask to see their identification and check it thoroughly. If you are blind or partially sighted, ask a friend or neighbour who you trust to help you if someone calls at your door.
If you were not expecting anyone, explain that you need to check they are legitimate and ask them to wait outside for a few minutes. Take a note of their name and the company they claim to be working for and then close and lock the door. Look up the phone number for the company in a telephone directory and check they have an employee of that name and that they are visiting you on legitimate business. Never just take someone’s word for it and don’t use any phone number they give you to check their identity – you don’t know if it’s a genuine number.
A lot of utility companies operate a password scheme, where anyone calling from that company will give you a previously agreed password so you know they’re legitimate. Make sure you take advantage of these schemes.
Helping others
Although anyone can be a victim of distraction burglary, bogus callers often prey on elderly or vulnerable people because they see them as easier targets.
If you know somebody who is elderly or vulnerable who might not be aware of the advice, please do all you can to help them to protect themselves and their homes. Offer to help your neighbours to check the identification of callers. If you have elderly friends or relatives, have a look at their home to see if there are any extra security measures that could be taken. If they don’t have a door chain or spy hole make sure they have one fitted – they can be brought from most DIY stores for less than £10.
Memo minders are a good way to remind vulnerable people of what they should do before opening the door – it allows a family member to record a short message which is played every time they go near their front door. They are available from £20 at specialist DIY stores. Where possible help vulnerable people to set up passwords with utility companies, so they will know if someone is genuine.
Encourage them to use a bank account instead of keeping large amounts of cash in their home. Help them to keep their garden tidy – some burglars keep a lookout for unkempt gardens because it could be a sign that someone elderly lives there.
Extra help and advice
The Bobby Scheme provides and fits security devices for elderly people who have been victims of crime, free of charge. For more information call Hampshire Constabulary on 0845 045 45 45 and ask to be put through to your local Bobby Scheme.
