Warning over bogus calls

The warning comes after police received a number of reports of homeowners being contacted and offered cheap servicing for household appliances, specifically vacuum cleaners.

Callers were told that an 'official' representative of a named company could offer cheaper servicing and that they had obtained contact details from the business where the appliances were purchased. When companies and businesses were contacted they had no knowledge of sharing contact details or of offering cheaper servicing.

Police are warning householders not to share their personal details over the phone and to ascertain that callers are genuine.

Detective Inspector Donna Bowden advised: "If you are unsure of a caller or feel that something is not right then ask for details to ascertain their identity. Ask where they are phoning from, where they have got your details from and where they have obtained your telephone number. Ask them if there is a number you can phone them back on or if there is another representative from their company that you can contact.

"If you are still unsure then contact the company or business yourself to check if the call is genuine. Legitimate companies won’t have a problem with you calling them back.

"Never give any of your personal details over the phone."

Anyone who believes they may have been victim of this type of scam or has any concerns should contact police on 0845 600 8000.