CRIMINALS are using the coronavirus crisis to commit doorstep crime Warwickshire Trading Standards are warning in an alert issued on Thursday 26 March 2020.
Reports have emerged of people receiving unexpected doorstep visits from individuals offering to to buy or collect shopping on behalf of those who are self isolating. The thieves then take cash and do not return.
Residents are also advised to beware of rogue traders offering “doorstep cleansing services’ that offer to clean drives and doorways to kill bacteria and help prevent the spread of the virus.
Fake sanitisers, face masks and Cover-19 swabbing kits are also being sold door-to-door. These products can often be dangerous and unsafe.
Warwickshire Trading Standards advise:
- DO NOT buy goods or services from unexpected and and unknown doorstep callers.
- DO NOT reveal any sensitive information such as your bank card PIN number to any doorstep caller.
Please report any suspicious doorstep visits or any type of scam to the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133. Citizens Advice can provide telephone support and advice. They will also alert Warwickshire Trading Standards Service who can provide additional advice.
Kenilworth Watch 