Defeat Bogus Callers

Fit a door chain and use it every time you answer the door. Don't leave back doors unlocked or accessible ground floor windows wide open.

Be wary of all callers, including women and children - burglars don't always look like burglars. Suspect uninvited "builders" or "roofers" who say that your house is in need of repair or offer "spare tarmac" to do your drive.

Criminals may try to distract you with a plausible excuse while an accomplice steals your property. Excuses can range from a child who has lost a ball or a pet to asking for a drink of water or to use the toilet.

Ask what the caller wants and his or her identification. If uncertain about any caller, telephone their organisation for confirmation. Use the number from the Phone Book and shut the door whilst making the call.

If still uncertain, send them away. If it is important, genuine callers will return when a friend or neighbour is present. Some gas, electricity and water companies run password schemes. Find out about yours. These schemes are especially useful to the partially sighted who have difficulty in seeing identification.

It is sometimes necessary to pay people at the door. Minimise risk by keeping the chain on whilst talking to the caller; shutting the door whilst sorting out the money and never bringing a bag, purse or wallet to the door.

Never feel embarrassed about refusing to let callers in.

Shed Alarms

Garages, sheds and outbuildings are often full of tools and equipment - ideal for breaking into the house and expensive to replace. It's sensible to make outdoor storage places secure, chain up ladders and other items so they can't be easily removed and fit an alarm if possible.

Pedal Cycles - At Risk!

Don't Be A Cash Machine Victim

It's sensible to be very wary when using cash point machines.

• Don't let anybody look over your shoulder and see you enter your PIN number.
• Put money and receipts away safely.
• Be sure to retrieve your cash card.

Thieves may to try to distract you with questions or "problems" while you are in the process of withdrawing money. Whilst your attention is diverted, they steal your card from the machine. You assume the machine has "eaten" your card and go off to complain. Meanwhile, the tricksters, having seen you enter your PIN, use the card to steal your money.

Keeping a cash card together with a note of your PIN number in a wallet or purse, is an "open door" to your bank account if they are stolen. It almost certainly violates your agreement with your bank or credit card company. Most cards will let you change your PIN to a group of numbers that you can easily remember. Well worth doing next time you use your card!

Save on Insurance

Doorstep Traders

Be on guard against unscrupulous doorstep traders. The opening gambit by these unwelcome callers is often on the lines of:

• "Congratulations! you've won a prize....",
• "I noticed you've got a few loose tiles on your roof....",
• "There have been a lot of burglaries in this area recently.....",
• "This cut-price special offer is only available if you sign today......" or
• "I'm doing a survey...".

This leads to them offering goods and services like home security systems, vacuum cleaners, property repairs or damp proofing. They often prey on elderly or vulnerable consumers, use pressure selling tactics to persuade people into buying and don't tell them about their right to cancel if they change their mind after signing a contract.

To help stamp out these unscrupulous pests, the Police advise a firm refusal, never to allow them entry to the house and, if possible, to phone KCC Trading Standards to put them in the picture. There's more information on the Internet at www.ripofftipoff.net .