AN Orange woman has warned people to be vigilant of telephone scammers posing as Red Cross representatives, after her friend was contacted by someone offering a home security check.
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Celia English was in Bathurst visiting friend Paul Davidson when he received a call on his mobile from a man claiming to be from the Red Cross.
“They said ‘we’re coming around to houses to check the security and fire alarms’,” she said.
“They said they were going to ring back ... he actually thought it was the Red Cross and thought it was genuine.”
Ms English said she and another friend visiting Mr Davidson knew straight away it was a scam.
“We rang Red Cross and they said we don’t do that,” she said.
“It’s a housing commission home and they’ve got nothing to do with it.
“I fear for him, he’s got a lot of technology.”
She has spoken out to warn others who may allow the scammers into their homes.
“I want to make other people aware, if the Red Cross we’re doing something like that, which they wouldn’t, they’d send a letter out,” she said.
“You don’t want [scammers] in Bathurst taking hundreds of thousands of dollars of stuff out of town.
“They could even hurt people.”
A spokesman for Red Cross said the charity does not telephone people offering a security service.
“However from time to time we may call people to offer tickets in our Art Union raffles or to seek regular donations to Red Cross,” he said.
“Anyone concerned about someone claiming to represent Red Cross should contact the Red Cross Supporter Services Centre on 1800 811 700.”
