Bogus call re neighbour's burglar alarm

[Baldinho]

Just found out that when our neighbour was on holiday two other neighbours received calls in the early hours (on different nights) supposedly from the holidaying neighbour's burglar alarm company saying there was a fault on the alarm and were they keyholders?

All sounds distinctly dodgy to me. Holidaying neighbour checked with their provider and no calls were made by them and no recorded fault with the alarm. Police have been contacted but waiting to hear feedback.

Anyone got any knowledge of such scams?

Glad I refreshed my self-defence skills just before Christmas!

[TheEnd]

Clever....

step 1
Find empty house,

step 2
call neighbours saying a fault, and find one who will switch it off

step 3.. hmmmm empty house with alarm off

i assume they know it's a fancy alarm by the box outside, or maybe just guess for any type of alarm.

[Baldinho]

Aye, that's what I was suspecting. If they call me I'll tell them that yes I am a keyholder and to pop round and get the key. I'd then get reet mediaeval on them if they turned up!

[TheEnd]

The cleverest bit here (apart from knowing they were away, they could be just from watching) is getting the neighbour's phone numbers.
That would need a reverse phonebook which is a pretty dangerous bit of kit

[Baldinho]

Yep, joking apart it is a bit worrying as the house is down a lane and set behind solid gates. To know they were away, know their alarm provider and know the neighbours names and phone numbers shows a bit more than a passing interest. I'm assuming electoral list and directory enquiries as a starter, then someone working on house, delivery guy knowing when they were away etc.