Are you the pest controller or someone else…..?

Published 20 January 2016

I’m here to sort out a rat problem, says conman to elderly Derbyshire victim.

A BURGLAR posing as a pest control man has stolen cash from an 83-year-old Derbyshire woman.

Police say the victim answered the door of her home in Chestnut Avenue, Midway, Swadlincote, after hearing a knock, at 11.30am yesterday.

A man at the door said he was there to “sort out a problem with rats” and asked for cash which she handed over.

The offender then asked the pensioner to go to her shed and check it was locked.

She did what he asked and when she returned to her house moments later the man was gone, along with money from inside the house.

She told police the burglar was in his early 50s, around 5ft 8ins tall, had short, dark brown hair and was wearing a dark coat.

Anyone with information is asked to call Derbyshire Police, quoting crime reference number 1581-16.
Original Article: //www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Burglar-posing-pest-control-man-steals-cash/story-28509372-detail/story.html#ixzz3xm9SN5em

BTP says:

A very alarming story – from childhood we were all taught “stranger danger!”

Cold calling to domestic houses is not normally carried out by professional pest controllers.

Ways you can protect yourself are:

You should be expecting a visit – as an appointment should have been made
Ask for ID
Verify the company by calling their office (easy to find on Google)

The BASIS Prompt ID card is a standard ID for pest control staff, but some companies have there own versions.

This shows that they are registered as a professional pest controller who keeps his continual professional development (CPD) up to date by obtaining at least 20 CPD points per year.

It should show their photo, name, ID numbers and expiry date. Below is an example of one of ours with the details on the front and our logo and contact details on the back.

Don’t be shy asking for it !

All BTP Staff carry this card.