RESIDENTS in St Ives and the surrounding villages are being warned to be extra vigilant following reports of bogus callers operating in the area.

RESIDENTS in St Ives and the surrounding villages are being warned to be extra vigilant following reports of bogus callers operating in the area.

This week police have received several reports of people calling at homes in the town falsely claiming to be from Talk Talk or BT.

The varying reports have been of one or two men or a lone woman claiming there were problems with phone lines and they needed to check the fault inside the resident’s home. None of the homeowners allowed the callers in.

Police contacted Talk Talk and BT who said there had been no reported faults and they had no staff in the area. They also said they would rarely ask employees or contractors to knock on doors and would always make attempts to contact homeowners first.

Sally Davies, crime reduction manager, said: “It is pleasing that none of these callers were allowed into homes but we would urge people to remain vigilant and look out for neighbours or family and friends, particularly if they are vulnerable.

“I would urge anyone who has had a caller claiming to be from a telecommunications company to contact police, tell us what has happened and, if possible, give us descriptions of the people involved.”

Residents are being urged to always verify a caller’s information with the company they claim to work for and to never take ID cards or badges at face value.

INFORMATION: Anyone with information should contact police on 0345 4564564.