Look out for imposters this festive season

As stores begin to “deck the halls” for the festive season, it is important to note this time of the year also has a downside for the public as criminals ramp up their efforts to gain from every opportunity they can find.

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Posing as customers is an old trick.

Small businesses are especially vulnerable because even if they do have a security door and buzzer, you have to open them when a “customer” arrives.

Often they pose as council workers coming to check a meter box.

Criminals watch homes to study routines and know when domestic staff are alone on the property.

This is an opportunity for them to pose as a delivery service or maintenance worker to con the domestic worker to open the gate.

Five rules when a stranger is at the gate:

1. Ask who they are and what they want.

2. If you were not expecting them, don’t let them in – no matter what their story is.

3. If they say the employer ordered them to fix something, the domestic worker needs to phone their employer immediately.

It is not likely that the employer left home without mentioning a service provider is coming and for what reason. So, if they didn’t tell you, treat this person at the gate as highly suspicious.

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4. If you don’t have an intercom system, talk to them through a window from the safety of a locked-up house.

5. Keep a remote panic with you at all times and do not hesitate to press it to alert your security service provider if you see anything or anyone suspicious.

This is especially important for domestic staff.

Information provided by Fidelity ADT.