Police warn of security scam

Police in Camberley are warning residents to be on their guard following an attempted security scam last week with individuals claiming they were from Camberley Police Station.

During the day, an elderly Surrey Heath resident received a phone call from a man claiming to be from Camberley Police Station offering security advice. He told the woman he could fit a security alarm in her house for £299 which would be connected to the police station. The man gave her a code number and told her to quote it when his colleague phoned back in half an hour with the name of the officer who would be visiting. When the woman received a second call, this time from a female, she gave her the code number as requested and was then informed that the alarm would cost £3,000 a further £299 to fit it and an extra £40 per month to be linked to the police station.

The resident told the woman she was not interested and put the phone down.

DC Karen Andrews who is investigating this incident said: “The resident in this case did the right thing by putting the phone down and contacting the police. We want to make other residents in the borough aware of this scam and to advise that no one from Surrey Police or Camberley Police Station is involved in selling any type of alarm. We will offer crime prevention advice only. Surrey Police is continuing to make people aware of the methods of distraction burglars to prevent them becoming a victim of crime.”

DC Andrews would be keen to hear from anyone who may have received a similar phone call recently. Please call Surrey Police on 0845 125 2222 quoting reference number D/08/4380 or Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously and free of charge on 0800 555 111.

For more information call Helen Williamson, Press and Publicity Officer for North West Surrey based at Woking on 01483 630262

E-mail: 10357@surrey.pnn.police.uk

For up-to-date news see our website at www.surrey.police.uk

Call 0845 125 2222 for all non-emergency policing matters.

Call 999 if you have a genuine emergency requiring the attendance of the police (eg a crime is in progress or someone is in immediate danger).

Call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 if you have information about crime and don't want to leave your name.

North West Surrey Police, Direct Line 01483 655785