Residents urged to be on guard against home alarms scam

Aug 19 2010 by Gary Fanning, Hamilton Advertiser

HEARTLESS salesmen are pretending to be police officers in the latest security alarm scam to hit Hamilton.

Crooks are posing as police community safety officers in a bid to dupe elderly, vulnerable and unsuspecting householders into buying expensive alarm systems.

Unscrupulous representatives from a home alarm company are also tricking people into thinking they working on behalf of South Lanarkshire Council or the Home Office.

Trading Standards officers warned about the alarm system scam last month.

Now, police have issued a fresh alert after an unnamed firm started ‘cold calling’ people in the Hamilton area. According to cops, salesmen quote false crime statistics to try and scare the householder into signing up to an extortionate monthly payment plan for an alarm system.

Constable Marie Spiers, of Hamilton Police Office, said: “I would urge residents to be vigilant if they receive any unsolicited suspicious telephone calls, particularly ones from this company who state they are from South Lanarkshire Council, and who also claim to be affiliated with Strathclyde Police or the Home Office.”

Police are working closely with Trading Standards in an effort to clamp down on the company. The firm play on householders’ fears by claiming that crime in the area is soaring and then persuade them to sign up to a costly agreement.

David Templeton, the council’s divisional trading standards officer, said: “These individuals are using the good and trusted name of South Lanarkshire Council to worm their way into people’s homes under false pretences.

“Once they get over the door, they are pretty much determined not to leave without a sale.

“Often this can involve the use of aggressive and pressurised techniques designed to ensure that the householder signs up to something they neither want nor need. “It is a despicable and deceitful practice and we are urging all residents to steer clear.

“The council have no involvement whatsoever with this company.

“Indeed, the council would never endorse any private organisation or involve itself in cold calling in any way.”

If anyone has been targeted by this company, or has had any other suspicious phone calls, they should contact Trading Standards on 01355 806597 or Hamilton Police on 483300.

If anyone would like to discuss any particular aspect of their home or personal safety, they should contact their local police station.

Alternatively, contact the local community police officer who will also be happy to advise on any aspects of home safety.