‘Don’t let them in’

Bogus callers are people who trick their way into people’s homes looking to steal valuables and cash. They are normally well organised and work in teams and are very convincing, often using excuses based on panic to gain entry to your home.

Beware of certain phrases!

“Your water may be contaminated! You need to run your taps.”
“Your neighbour is having a flood and we need to turn the water off.”
“We need to come in and check that your water is still working OK.”

They often claim they are from the ‘water board’ and may wear uniforms and fake ID badges. They can be very convincing so be careful who you let into your home. None of our genuine representatives would ask to enter your property with these excuses and you are not obliged to let them into your home.

You can protect yourself by registering a password of your choice and the scheme is free. It’s easy to register and your password will be safe and only known to Severn Trent Water.

It’s easy to register so please contact us and ask to join the password scheme.

How to register:

1. Call 08457 500 500 and ask to register for a password.
2. You can also register online at www.stwater.co.uk/access
3. Email customer.relations@severntrent.co.uk One of our Access team will call you back to get your individual password over the phone. We do this for extra security.

And remember:

• Don’t accept any excuses; all genuine employees will know how to get your password.
• Always check the caller’s identity, IDs can be easily copied!
• To check a caller’s identity you can contact us on 0845 604 1655, or if you have a textphone you can contact us on 0800 328 1155.

Working with the Home Office, Police and other water companies

We are founder members of the Distraction Burglary Task Force, which has become a nationwide, Home Office backed campaign to cut down bogus caller crimes. Since many of these offences are committed by people pretending to be water company officials, we have made it our responsibility to help raise awareness of the problem and tackle the criminals - especially when victims are typically elderly and vulnerable members of our communities.

The Task Force has initiated the national ‘knock knock! who’s there? be stranger aware!’ campaign, which is supported by the Home Office, the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), Water UK and the Consumer Council for Water (CCWater). It aims to raise national awareness to all age groups to help prevent this distressing crime.
UK water companies have come together and agreed to:

• a national cold calling protocol detailing the most appropriate way for water workers to approach vulnerable and elderly customers;
• share best practise and information;
• strengthen partnerships with local police forces and other appropriate agencies, including Age Concern;
• ensure awareness and advice relating to bogus caller crime reaches all age groups from young children to the elderly;
• improve methods in which they communicate advice on how to avoid being a bogus caller victim, including utilising customer letters, literature, websites, talks to appropriate groups and the media;
• adopting a national strap line to brand the campaign – knock knock! who’s there? be stranger aware!

We are committed to helping to prevent this crime so register for a password by calling 08457 500 500 .