Kent Police is warning people to be on their guard against rogue home security companies after receiving a number of calls from worried residents.

Officers have received information stating some members of the public have received calls from people claiming to be from security firms. The cold-callers, who claim to be working with Kent Police, tell people that crime has increased in their area. The telephone salesperson then uses hard-sell tactics to persuade people to buy a high-cost, home security assessment visit.

Elderly and vulnerable people targeted

Superintendent Jon Sutton said: 'Kent Police does not work with private home security companies and never cold-calls members of the public or small businesses.

'It appears the companies are particularly targeting elderly and vulnerable people, who may feel intimidated into booking a home visit during which they may then feel pushed into buying expensive home security products. 

'Kent Police asks people to remember its advice when contacted speculatively by such people. The key thing to remember is that under no circumstances part with cash, or give your bank details out over the phone or at your front door, no matter how genuine the caller seems. Genuine companies will not object if you tell them you will be checking they are legitimate and will call them back later.'

• Advice: Find out about how to identify a scam and the simple steps you can take to avoid falling victim to rogue traders

Staying safe

Kent Police may refer vulnerable, disabled or elderly victims of crime to the Kent County Council funded Kent HomeSafe scheme, which fits window locks, smoke alarms, door locks, bolts, viewers and safety chains, night latches and key safes free of charge across Kent.

Home Office crime figures for the period between April and June 2009 show that overall crime in Kent is down more than 12 per cent compared with the same period in 2008, a reduction of 3,910 offences.

Overall, burglary has dropped by 29 offences compared with the same period last year while the number of burglaries from people's homes has fallen by 2 per cent, a reduction of 26 offences.

Find out more

• Crime mapping: Find out about crime-levels in your area 
• Office of Fair Trading: How to report scams
• Consumer Direct: Scams - What to look out for
• You can also contact Consumer Direct by calling 08454 04 05 06

Posted on: 16 November 2009