A warning has been issued over a bogus BBC TV licence Salesman trying to pick up Keyworth residents’ personal details.
On Wednesday afternoon (June 28) a number of homes were visited in and around the village, say Nottinghamshire Police.
A man was calling asking people to provide proof of age and identity – including passports, NHS numbers, National Insurance numbers, birth certificates, and bank account details.
Police have now issued an alert over the incident, telling residents to give similar uninvited callers a frosty reception.
A spokesman for West Bridgford’s police beat team said: “On Wednesday between 3pm and 3.30pm it was reported to the police that a male attended several addresses within the Keyworth area, claiming to be a TV Licencing ‘officer’.
“Checks were carried out with BBC TV Licencing in relation to this and they can confirm that this person was not from the TV Licencing Service.”
The suspect is described as mixed race, possibly Asian, aged around 50 to 55 years of age, average build, with very short possibly curly dark hair.
He was smartly dressed in black boots and trousers, wearing an anorak type jacket. A white estate-type car was seen in the area at the same time the man arrived.
A police spokesman added: “TV Licencing inform us that should sales staff be visiting you they will write to you in advance (TVLR know that isn’t true).
“If you are not expecting a visit from any person claiming to be from any service, and you are not expecting them, please do not provide them with any personal details, and call the relevant service to confirm they are official.
“Never use numbers that have been provided by the unexpected caller. If they are legitimate they will understand your actions and they will be prepared to wait whilst you carry out checks.
“If you feel something is suspicious please call the police on 101.”
Mark Whitehouse (works for one of the 11 PR firms the BBC use, clarke-associates) TV Licensing’s spokesman for the East Midlands, said: “We take security extremely seriously.
“All genuine BBC TV Licensing sales staff (works for Capita/BBC TV Licensing) carry an ID card.
Remember you’re not obliged to tell these sales staff anything to begin with, if anyone knocks asking questions or for you to confirm something just close the door on them, it’s that simple.