Bogus caller warning in Foyle

It is understood a man, believed to be in his 60s, called at a house claiming to be carrying out a survey on behalf of a well-known soft drinks company.

A PSNI spokeswoman said: “The man was carrying a clipboard and what appeared to be ID however the householder was suspicious and asked the man to leave. A further call to the company revealed they were not carrying out surveys in the area.

Bogus callers depend on the good nature and good will of others. They tend to target the more vulnerable members of our society and in particular senior citizens. It is always advisable to be cautious of unexpected callers.

“Always ask for ID. These individuals will sometimes offer a brief glimpse of an identity card in the hope that this will suffice. Don’t be fooled. Ask to see the card properly. If it's in a card holder, ask that they remove it so that you can examine it closely. And always check that the photograph matches the person on the doorstep,” she said.

If you are still concerned ask the person to wait outside while you contact their head office to confirm they are genuine.

Please contact a member of local Neighbourhood Team or the Crime Prevention Officer for more information on home security. Telephone 0845 600 8000 or visit our website - www.psni.police.uk