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Bogus Social Workers

(14 Posts)
Missfoodlove Sat 09-May-20 09:33:11

Our local paper carried a story earlier this week about two bogus social workers who tried to enter someone’s home and remove a child.

This was quite a phenomenon in the 80’s when I was bringing up our children.

Many Police forces looked into this and concluded it was attention seeking behaviour.

Arrests are never made and there is never a witness.
What do you think?

Sugarpufffairy Sat 09-May-20 13:58:57

I remember that from many years ago. I wonder why the Police did not make any progress with their investigations.

I have recently had concerns about persons who arrived at my house. Not claiming to be Social Workers or anything else but they were apparently wearing a uniform. I am hoping to have it investigated. Hope it is effectively investigated.

felice Sat 09-May-20 14:27:46

I remember in the 70s and 80s this was supposed to be rife.
I once saw a man and woman come up the garden path, I was at home with a young baby and the Health Visitors were always complaining I did not attend the 'baby clinic' every week, third child very healthy.
X and I were self-employed and I was not expecting anyone.
They insisted on entering the house, I refused, they said they had an appointment, not with me they didn't.
I called the police who arrived sharpish,,,,, turned out they were from the VAT and X had forgotten to tell me of the appointment.
I still did not let them in and made an appointment to go to the office.
They got a right dressing down from the Police as they had not shown when asked ID.
I would probably reacted the same if they had anyway.

welbeck Sat 09-May-20 16:28:24

Sugar, i think the implication is that these are largely urban myths, that is why you don't hear any outcome.
some people fabricate or imagine things, not always maliciously; some believe what they are asserting.

what sort of people came to your house, did they say what they wanted. wearing a uniform is not necessarily suspicious.

Sugarpufffairy Sat 09-May-20 16:55:21

Welbeck The uniform was not right. They lacked the correct information. The uniform was what got them in my house but I wont be accepting that again.

MawB Sat 09-May-20 17:02:39

Sugarpuffairy there is no way you should be letting anybody into your house, uniform or not.
If it was recent, all the more reason. Even posties and couriers stand right back. Police should show warrant cards 2 m back from the doorstep . I am concerned that you might be too trusting.

B9exchange Sat 09-May-20 17:16:57

Our local police have issued a warning parcels arriving containing something you haven't ordered, such as a laptop or phone, and then a pair of men in DPD uniforms turns up to collect the parcel and saying they will redeliver it.

Seems they have used your address to order it from a catalogue company, and in due course you would get an invoice sent to you! We were advised by the police to hang on to the parcel and contact the company who had sent it out, as well as letting the police know of course.

Sugarpufffairy Sat 09-May-20 17:26:09

MawB It was about a week before lock down. I have been too trusting and although I have tightened up a fair bit obviously I have to make more of an effort.
No Identity was showing apart from the uniform. They did not have the full story. I am going to take this up with the "high heid yins".

Jane10 Sat 09-May-20 17:32:05

But that was weeks ago now. A bit too late to take it up with anyone.

BlueBelle Sat 09-May-20 17:42:44

But no one should be entering your house Sugarpuff unless you have a prior agreement
I ve never heard of the 70/80s thing must have missed our neck of the woods most things do ?

Sugarpufffairy Sat 09-May-20 18:06:33

Jane10 If they were not who they appeared to be that would be a very serious matter. I know who I had an exchange of views with and if that person is doing things like this whether they were real or not that is another serious issue

Hetty58 Sat 09-May-20 18:16:42

My friend's 85 year old mother had a dodgy caller. They said they lived next door (she knew they didn't) and they'd come to turn off her water under the sink. Apparently, they had a flood in their kitchen and it would all go through the wall into hers otherwise.

They picked the wrong person. She knows where the pipes run and that everyone has their own supply. She started screaming and shouting and off they went. Now she has security cameras.

Missfoodlove Sat 09-May-20 19:13:45

We have gone right off topic which is fair enough but Sugarpuff......really?
We don’t even have half a story!

Sugarpufffairy Sun 10-May-20 08:00:48

Missfoodlove - What do you mean "We don't even have half a story"?
I did not give full details as I have ow instigated an enquiry. It is a worry when there are people who are impersonating any type of bogus person. Some members of the public are more alert than others and it is the most vulnerable that I am concerned for. No-one on this or any other similar sites gives the exact details of events for confidentiality and security reasons.