ACT Policing, along with the ACT Ambulance Service, is encouraging elderly community members to be vigilant about their personal and home safety after reports of a conman in south Canberra has resurfaced again.
ACT Policing received a number of reports recently of suspicious behaviour in Farrer. The reports are of a man offering to paint house numbers on the driveways for an amount of money. In some instances the man pretends to be working with the ACT Ambulance Service. The victims targeted are elderly.
In one instance the conman entered the home of a 99-year-old man, claiming to be from the ‘Ambulance’ and offering to paint the house number for $20.
ACT Ambulance Service (ACTAS) Chief Officer David Foot states that the ACTAS does not engage in this type of activity.
“The ACT Ambulance Service would like to advise the community they DO NOT produce any type of labelling on roadside kerbs.
Should a member of the public be approached by persons purporting to be an ambulance officer, offering to stamp a label for a neighbourhood kerbside, they should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”
Officer-in-Charge of Woden Police Station, Station Sergeant Andrew Bailey said there are some home safety precautions the elderly can take to minimise this happening to them.
“We encourage people to keep their doors locked, even when they are at home,” Station Sergeant Bailey said.
“If you have a screen door, keep this locked and talk with unknown persons through the security screen door. If you are expecting a contractor or service provider, check their identification and if in doubt, call their head office to verify their details. Use the number out of the phone book and not a phone number they provide to you. If you are unsure, then call Police Operations on 131 444”.
(Media Release ACT Policing)
Loading ...
