Fire Inspector Scam

Here we go yet again folks. Not for the first time the scammers have been busy. How do they sleep at night. Fortunately, John from Blacon, has his finger on the pulse and he sends us so many vital and timely updates. Here’s the latest. This one relates to a Fire Inspector scam.

Read on for more details.

Fire Inspector Scam

Cheshire Police have been contacted by Merseyside Police over this one.

“Our Merseyside Police colleagues have told us about someone pretending to be a Fire Inspector from Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service.

This man says he has to do a fire safety check in homes, and that anyone not letting him in is committing a crime. He does NOT work for the Fire Service.

Please do not allow anyone into your home that you are not sure about.

If someone says they are from Cheshire Fire Service you can always check by asking their name, service number and then calling to check they are who they say they are.

Suspicious activity should also be reported to Cheshire Police Message Sent By Stephen Parr (Police, Community Support Officer Coach), Chester).”

A very simple and short message. But, as always, on point. It goes without saying as well, spread the word wherever you can. Especially to those you feel may be more vulnerable.

It goes to show the lengths that these bandits will go to. A Fire Inspector scam. Putting themselves in a position to imitate people in a position of trust and authority shows that they are really doing their homework in so many areas.

Not only that, they are going to the extreme measures where they seem to be getting uniforms possibly and fake ID’s.

Fire Inspector Scam – They Shall Not Pass

In the Cheshire Police release above, a key message is “please do not allow anyone into your home that you are not sure about.“

A simple and yet so very effective message. I know in our house one of us normally pipes up, “are you expecting anyone?” as soon as we hear a knock on the door.

Quite often we may take a peek out of the window (no, we’re not curtain twitchers) to see who it may be. If someone is standing there with a clipboard in their hand for instance and a badge around their neck, we either wait for the second knock – which very often doesn’t come – or we ignore it. It’s surprising how many ‘knockers’ don’t hang around very long after their first tap on the door. In some cases it’s only seconds.

If it was important a card would be pushed through the door. In that case we could go after them after checking the card. But, to be honest, we’ve never had a card put through the door. Apart from a delivery driver or a meter reader.

So in many instances we’ve more than likely not answered the door to a scammer or a cold caller.

Also, we have another added layer of security. One of our four furry residents will leg it upstairs if she thinks there is someone she doesn’t want in the house at our doorstep. Thanks for the heads up Dotty!!!

Thanks again John. Your Fire Inspector scam warning is much appreciated. And finally, stay safe everyone.

Chester Crimewatch Blog Posts

Another vital addition to the ever bulging Chester Crimewatch inbox. Unfortunate in many respects but also very important. To see all my other Chester Crimewatch blog posts – click HERE.

Please Note

I earn commissions from Amazon for any qualifying purchases made from my Chester Lifestyle website.

Shop Safely And Securely From Amazon