The "Fake Repairman"
Dastardly Deliveries
For years law enforcement officers have been telling people to keep their doors locked and not to open
their door for strangers, yet this advice has been infrequently followed. It would seem that this basic
advice was either faulty or inadequate as the number of home invasion crimes are ever increasing, while
the ruse used has remained fairly constant.
Reluctantly, credit for the success of the home invader must be acknowledged, as he, unlike his victim,
plans his actions. A home invader knows that older persons are deeply concerned about safety issues and
yet when confronted by someone claiming to be investigating a potentially dangerous condition, rational
thought by the intended victim is abandoned. Flowers, it would seem, tend to cause certain persons to
forget the rules, and they join the statistics, as a victim. It is unfortunate that the invader is
prepared, and can be almost certain that his victim is not.
What follows is a sampling of possible tricks that the home invader may use, and what you the potential
victim, should do to thwart his plan.
The Gas Leak Trick
Persons will come to your door and tell you that they are checking for a leak in the area, and that they need to come into your house to check for the leak.
Clue:
If there is a leak in your house you'd know about it. Also, the gas companies are only concerned about leaks that they are responsible for, that is the equipment and lines outside of your home.
Action:
DO NOT LET THEM IN
- Ask for Identification, the name of their company and who their supervisor is.
- Look up the number of the company, DO NOT use any number that the man or woman may provide.
- When you discover that there is no such company or the company denied knowledge: CALL THE POLICE.
The Electric Company Repairman
City of Leesburg is the only supplier of electricity in our area and their repair persons do not look for electrical problems inside of privately owned property. If you have an electrical problem in your home, you must call an electrician and you will know that he is coming and what company you called.
Clue:
If someone knocks at your door claiming to he from the electric company and needs
to get in, and you did not call for repairs, something is wrong.
Action:
DO NOT LET THEM IN.
- Ask for their name then call the City of Leesburg Electric Dept repair number in your phone book.
- If Leesburg Electric denies knowledge of the person or his actions: CALL THE POLICE.
The Unexpected Delivery
If you have a delivery person at your door, and you have not ordered anything and there is no logical reason for the delivery (i.e., Mothers Day, your birthday or a mail ordered item), then you should stop and think before you do anything. Almost all delivery people want to leave the package at your door and continue on their way with other deliveries.
Clue:
Only those persons delivering large or heavy objects must enter your home. If any other delivery person insists that they have to enter your house, stop and think.
Action:
DO NOT LET THEM IN OR OPEN YOUR DOOR
- Ask them for identification or at least their name.
- Ask what company they are from and look the company up in the phone book, do not use a number they provide.
- CALL THE COMPANY
- If there is no such company or the company denies knowledge: CALL THE POLICE.
Phone numbers to call for assistance:
Emergency 911
Non-Emergency 352-787-2121
Criminal Investigations Division 352-728-9862