Bogus callers are conmen or women who use a variety of stories to get into a person’s home with the sole intention of stealing from them.

They most often pose as official callers from a local authority or utility company, for example “the Gas Board”, “the Water Board” or an electricity company, and will claim they need to check for a leak, read the meter or check electric sockets. Some may also claim to need assistance, for example need a glass of water or to use the phone.

Also known as distraction burglars, they can often work in pairs with one spinning a story to distract the householder at the front door while their accomplice enters the home to steal.

Bogus callers succeed because they sound believable, so don't be fooled. Make sure in your own mind that they are whom they claim to be by following these simple steps:

• Stop, Chain and Check. Think before you open the door - use your spy hole, chain or look out of the window to see if you recognise them.
• Ask callers for proof of identity. Genuine tradesmen should carry an identification card with their photograph on. Utilities companies now offer a password identification system which means any callers from one of these companies should be able to give a pre-arranged password as additional proof of identity.
• Check identity cards carefully. If you are unsure, telephone the company the caller claims to represent, (use a number from telephone directory and not any number they might give you). Remember, the vast majority of callers to your door will be genuine, therefore they will not mind you carrying out checks to make sure they are who they say they are.
• Beware of callers who attempt to distract you by claiming that they have seen something untoward in your rear garden or somewhere which may encourage you to leave your house - they may have an accomplice awaiting this distraction.
• If you are not convinced of the identity of the caller, don't let them in. Ask the caller to come back later and arrange for a friend, relative or neighbour to be present on their return or ask the caller to contact this person. 

Treat every stranger with caution. If you are still worried, dial 999 immediately and ask for the police.