The uniformed callers Launceston Police are warning about

Someone in uniform. An official looking van with an agency or company name written down the side. A claim that they represent the council, a government department, or another body you are meant to trust. Launceston Police say it is not always what it looks like.

What officers are warning about

Police in Launceston have had reports of people falsely claiming to represent government agencies, local authorities, and other official organisations. The individuals are turning up in uniform and with sign written vehicles, which is exactly what makes them convincing. The look does a lot of the work. That is the point of it.

If someone official arrives and asks for your details or a payment, the uniform and the van are not proof of anything on their own.

How to check who you are dealing with

Ask for identification, then verify it yourself. Look up the organisation’s official contact details on its own website and check through those. Do not use any phone number or contact given to you by the person in front of you, because a scammer can hand you a number that only rings their accomplice.

Do not give out personal or financial information unless you are certain who you are dealing with. And do not let yourself be rushed. Never feel pressured into making an immediate payment or an on the spot decision. A genuine caller will not mind you taking the time to check.

If anything feels off, end the conversation. Contact the organisation directly using the official details from its website and confirm whether the visit is real.

How to report it

If you think you have been targeted by a scam or a suspicious individual, report it to the police and to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or through the Action Fraud website.

Launceston Police are asking people to pass the warning on to friends, family, and anyone vulnerable who might be more easily caught out.