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Beware of bogus callers

07/02/2023

Sadly, we sometimes receive reports of bogus callers knocking on our resident’s doors. You should never let anybody you’re not expecting into your home. If someone says they’re from Poplar HARCA but you’re not sure who they are, please call us on 0800 035 1991 to check.

Bogus callers are people who come to your door and pretend to be someone they’re not. For example, they may say they’re from Poplar HARCA, the Council, or a utility company. It’s likely they’re trying to trick their way into your home so that they can carry out a crime, such as stealing from you.

Recently, some residents have also reported door-to-door cold callers claiming to be inspectors who can help make claims about disrepair issues. If this happens to you, please follow the advice below and remember to always report your repairs to us directly.

How to protect yourself from bogus callers

Never let someone you’re not expecting into your home. Even if you have a pre-booked appointment, ask to see their identification and check it carefully.

Our staff always carry ID, but bogus callers sometimes use fake ID to make their scam more believable. If someone says they’re from Poplar HARCA but you’re not expecting us to visit, please call 0800 035 1991 to check. If you’re still unsure, don’t let them through the door!

When answering your door:

  • Try to look through a spy hole or window to check who the caller is
  • If you have one, put the door chain on before opening the door
  • Ask for the caller’s identity card and check it carefully
  • Don’t let visitors pressure you into letting them in – a genuine caller won’t mind waiting whilst you confirm their identity
  • If you’re still unsure, ask the caller to leave and close your door

What to do if you’ve been targeted

If you think a caller is suspicious, please contact the police on 101.

If a crime is being committed or you think a crime has been carried out in your home, call 999 as soon as you can.

If you’ve been tricked into letting someone into your home, you should report it to the police immediately. There’s no shame in falling victim to a doorstep criminal, and the police won’t judge you.

If a suspicious caller said they’re from Poplar HARCA please also contact us on 0800 035 1991 to let us know.

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