Crimes update September 2020

Following our recent meeting with the borough-wide 'Crimes Against Older People' Group, please see below details about specific current crime trends to be aware of:

Doorstep Scams & Distraction Burglary
With TV Licensing starting to contact people aged 75+, it is important to watch out for potential scams. TV Licensing will not do home visits to those aged 75+ to collect the licence fee.
The letter that TV Licensing sends out will include the recipient’s licence number, title and last name and they will only ask for payment using the following options:
• By post using the address TV Licensing, PO Box 578, Darlington DL98 1AN
• Online at tvl.co.uk/75pay or tvl.co.uk/75apply
• Over the phone on 0300 790 6151
If you are contacted and asked to pay for a TV licence using a different phone number, website or by posting details to a different address, this is a scam.
If you are unsure about anything, call TV Licensing on 0300 303 9695 to speak with someone who can help.

Tips to stay safe:
- Do not open your front door to cold callers.
- Never hand over cash or your personal and financial details to any door step caller.
- Do not buy any item or service from a cold caller at your doorstep.
- If you feel rushed, pressured or confused close the door and call a trusted friend or family member. A genuine caller will not object to this.
- Contact the Police if you do not feel safe. Call 999 if it is an emergency and 101 if you wish to discuss a non-urgent matter with the Police.
- If you suspect that you have been a victim of fraud, report it to Action Fraud (0300 123 2040). If bank account details have been given, get in contact Action Fraud immediately.

Bogus Telephone Callers
Always hang up immediately if you receive a call like this:
Criminals are contacting victims by phone, text or email and they are impersonating the police, your personal alarm service provider (e.g WATCH) and other government organisations, such as the DVLA or HMRC. They are catching victims off guard and getting them to disclose their personal and financial details, or make a payment using their credit or debit card.
These organisations will never ask you for your personal and financial details over the phone, text or email. If you are asked to do this, it is a scam.
Tips to stay safe:
Genuine callers will never:
- ask you to contact a premium rate number such as those starting 09 or 087;
- ask you to make any form of payment over the phone;
- ask for your bank or card details, PIN number or password;
- ask for personal or financial information.
- ask you to purchase any product;
- ask you to access any website and/or download any software onto your computer, smart phone or tablet.

If you feel pressured or confused call a trusted friend or family member. A genuine caller will not object to this.
- Contact the Police if you do not feel safe. Call 999 if it is an emergency and 101 if you wish to discuss a non-urgent matter with the Police.
- If you suspect that you have been a victim of fraud, report it to Action Fraud (0300 123 2040). If bank account details have been given, get in contact Action Fraud immediately.