As the effects of the water crisis continues across Northern Ireland, with the clean up now underway, the public have been warned of the danger of bogus callers pretending to be from NI Water.

The latest victim, is a 79 year old Dundonald man (East Belfast), robbed in his home by a man pretending to be from the water board. The bogus caller told the pensioner that he needed access to his home to check the plumbing as a neighbour in the area had a leak.

The pensioner permitted the bogus caller access to his Craignish Crescent home in East Belfast at approximately 9pm on the 7th January 2011. After entering the home the caller checked under the kitchen sink, proceeded into the living room and then left the property. The house holder then discovered that a sum of money had been taken.

Editorial

NI Water are aware that bogus callers are taking advantage in the current crisis. Their advice is to check the caller's ID Card, as all NI Water staff, carry appropriate ID. Each card holds the employee's name, photo, company logo and has a serial number. You can then close the door on the caller and ring the NI Water customer helpline on 0845 744 0088 where they will check that ths caller is genuine and whether they have a genuine reason to access your home.

If in doubt, shut them out and call friends, neighbours, family, NI Water or if you believe you're in danger, the police.

This incident has left in its wake a distressed East Belfast pensioner, who has suffered this ordeal in what many of us expect to be the safest of places, the home. Given that crime is not going to go away, we must up our game and look out for our family, neighbours and friends and defeat those who seek to harm us, in 2011.

Last Updated: January 2011