LOCALS are being asked to be vigilant following a recent bogus caller incident.

On Monday, July 16, a member of the public noted a man walking into several driveways of properties in Barassie claiming to work for Scottish Water and advised the customer he was looking for a buried valve – the individual did not have a Scottish Water uniform and failed to provide an ID Card from the company.

Scottish Water have confirmed that no work was being undertaken in the Barassie area and the matter is being treated as a bogus caller incident.

Ruaridh MacGregor, Scottish Water’s Corporate Affairs Manager, said: “All Scottish Water employees – and anyone working for us – are always highly visible and carry photo ID when out and about. 

“If you’re in any doubt at all about anyone at your door and the reason they’re there, don’t even open your door to them. Don’t allow anyone into your home until your content that they’re genuine; anyone who’s genuine won’t be offended if you ask them for ID.”

“Follow our essential advice – if we knock on your door, check our photo ID and follow our 3 C’s rule: Card – Check – Call.

“Card – Anyone calling on behalf of Scottish Water, whether it is a Scottish Water employee or a contractor working on our behalf in your area, will always carry a photo ID card or letter. 

“You should always ask callers to pass their ID card or letter through the letterbox so that you can check their identity.

“Check – Check the ID card carefully: Is the photo on the ID card the same as the person at the door? Has the card been tampered with in any way? 

“If you are not confident that they are a genuine caller, then send them away.

“Call – If you are in any doubt about the caller’s identity, before you open the door please call our Customer Helpline on 0800 0778778 and we can help you confirm the caller is genuine. 

“We advise customers to contact utility companies by using phone numbers found in telephone directories or the internet, but not from ID cards or letters, because these could be false.”