Sorry to note that the bogus Water Board callers are still operating, and have struck again at around 7pm,  Friday 16th November 2018 at Riddings Crescent in Pelsall, when an elderly couple were robbed of their safe..

One of the couple’s neighbours posted:

Tonight our elderlyneighbours house has been broken into by two people pretending to be from the Water Board.

They have left two elderly people completely shook up and stolen their safe.

These are the nicest people you could meet and we want to do all we can to help! This was in Riddings Crescent, Pelsall.

It has been pointed out to me today that South Staffordshire Water (and many other utility companies) operate a password scheme that if you sign up, can help customers know if their caller is genuine.

Old pal of the blog Christine Howles said:

South Staffs Water have a password scheme which we do promote but people don’t sign up until it’s too late.

Can you promote the link to encourage people to get their relatives and neighbours to sign up, especially the vulnerable ones? (I’m going to do some more promotion about it next week.)

Find out how to sign up and how it works by clicking here

Thanks to Christine for that helpful advice. Anything which helps to keep the elderly and vulnerable safe is a great idea.

Please tell your relatives and neighbours about this scam, and impress upon them how important it is not to be menaced into giving money for services  at the door, no matter how plausible the people demanding cash are.. Genuine companies will always contact you by other means.

Explain that no official body will turn up unannounced demanding money for services like gardening, drain cleaning, fence repairs, tree pruning etc., and that if they are at all unsure of any caller, to close the door and contact the police.

Scumbags preying on the elderly and vulnerable are lower than a snake’s knees.

Please,  if you have any further information relating to this matter, or if you’ve witnessed something suspicious, please contact West Midlands Police by dialling 101 (999 in an emergency, obviously) or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

You can always contact me in total confidence on BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com and I’ll pass any info on anonymously.