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• In 2007‚ there were 52‚000* complaints about uninvited doorstep callers
• Bogus callers use underhand tactics to steal cash from older people
• Leave dodgy visitors out in the cold this spring‚ urges Age Concern Insurance Services
• Check what types of theft are covered under your home insurance policy

Last year in the UK‚ 52‚000 instances of bogus doorstep callers were officially recorded*. Age Concern is today reminding older homeowners to follow a few simple rules to protect themselves against bogus callers this spring.

Bogus callers try to gain access to homes by pretending to be someone they’re not‚ from charity collectors to utilities representatives. Once inside‚ they have their eyes on money and either convince the older person to hand it over or steal it without them knowing. 

Anyone can fall for a scam but older people are often hit hardest. Victims tend to be socially isolated‚ over-trusting or seen as an easy target and can be repeatedly targeted by scammers. Whilst the theft of money by deception can be emotionally distressing‚ having a good home insurance policy‚ like the one offered by Age Concern Insurance Services‚ can go some way towards easing the financial damage. Under the terms of Age Concern’s Home Insurance policy‚ theft of money by bogus officials and theft of money where entry into the home is gained by deception is covered.  

Antony Osborne from Age Concern Insurance Services says‚ “Before letting anyone into your home it’s always worth making sure they’re genuine and reputable. Anyone representing a large company should carry formal identification and‚ if unsure of someone’s identity‚ the golden rule is: don’t let them in. Theft can be emotionally and financially upsetting so it’s always worth checking what types of theft are covered under your home insurance policy.”

Age Concern Insurance Services has compiled the following hints and tips so that older people can ensure doorstep callers are who they claim to be:

• Ask callers for proof of identity. If you are not convinced of their identity‚ don't let them in.
• Beware of callers attempting to gain access to your home by distracting you.
• Never hand over any cash to a doorstep caller.
• If things do go wrong‚ contact Consumer Direct immediately on 08454 040506

Age Concern Insurance Services (ACIS) offers home contents insurance from under £4 a month and it is one of the few policies to offer a very low minimum sum insured. This allows older people with fewer possessions to pay only for the cover they need.  ACIS also offers a free 24-hour Domestic Emergency Service and Legal helpline for emergency assistance providing qualified and authorised repairers.  It also offers interest free instalment to spread the cost of insurance. For more information‚ visit www.ageconcern.org.uk/homeinsurance. 

For a free‚ no-obligation quotation or immediate cover call 0845 606 5075^.  Calls are charged at a local call rate.  Lines are open Monday to Friday 8am – 8pm‚ Saturday 9am – 5pm.      Or you can visit your local Age Concern **.

Profits generated by Age Concern Insurance Services go directly to the Age Concern charity‚ raising additional funds for invaluable support services such as day centres‚ home visits and transportation as well as helping the charity campaign for the well-being and rights of older people.

ACIS also produces a free leaflet entitled ‘A Practical Guide for Protecting & Maintaining Your Home.  Visit your local Age Concern** or call 0800 169 2700 for more information.

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For further information please contact Derya Filiz‚ Elly Kestenbaum or Jess Baker at Trimedia on 020 7025 7500 or email derya.filiz@trimediauk.com‚ elly.kestenbaum@trimediauk.com or jess.baker@trimediauk.com

NOTES TO EDITORS
^ If you call the 0845 number you will be dealing with Fortis Insurance Limited‚ which provides and manages Age Concern Home Insurance
* Consumer Direct‚ 2007
** Not all Age Concerns offer all Age Concern products. Please check by telephoning your local office‚ before arranging a visit. Trading Age Concerns are Appointed Representatives of Age Concern Enterprises Limited (ACEnt) which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority for insurance mediation (311438).  ACEnt is registered in England and Wales No. 3156159. Registered Office: Astral House‚ 1268 London Road‚ SW16 4ER. Age Concern Insurance Services is a trading name of ACEnt‚ which is a trading company of Age Concern England and gives any profits to that registered charity.

About Age Concern Home Insurance:

Age Concern Insurance Services (ACIS) offers home contents insurance from under £4 per month and is one of the few insurance policies which offers a very low minimum sum insured‚ thereby allowing older people with fewer possessions to pay only for the cover they need.  Importantly‚ the policy is index-linked so that the level of cover rises with inflation and the full replacement value of goods will be made available.

Age Concern Home Insurance provides:

• Contents cover against perils such as fire‚ flooding and theft that include the option of building insurance. Policies are indexed linked so that sums insured are increased in line with inflation. 
• Low minimum contents sums insured from £7‚500 (the sum insured must represent the full replacement cost as new of all contents).
• A low £25 excess (for most claims).
• A range of additional benefits are automatically included e.g. costs of alternative accommodation‚ accidental damage to mirrors and glass‚ spoilage of frozen food and replacement of external locks if keys are lost or stolen.
• A 24 hour domestic emergency helpline providing qualified and authorised repairers.
• A free legal helpline for independent and confidential advice on any legal problem.
• Option to spread payments over 12 months.  Written quotations available on request.

Age Concern Insurance Services (ACIS):

Age Concern Insurance Services (ACIS) was created in 1983 to offer better value insurance for older people. General insurance was an area in which over-50s had been ill served for a long time. Starting as a local service‚ it has grown to be one of the UK’s leading brands regarding general insurance for older people.

Today ACIS plays a dual role. It endeavours to offer some of the best value policies available while ensuring that these products are designed to meet the specific needs of older customers.  All profits generated by Age Concern from selling products and services go directly to support Age Concern’s charitable activities.

ACIS’ product has developed through demand to include home‚ contents‚ travel‚ motor‚ and motor breakdown insurance.

Policies can be bought either direct by phone‚ or through any of the 160 participating local Age Concern groups and organisations. In an age which is becoming more technology driven‚ Age Concern is invaluable in offering older people a personal service at a local level with which many feel most comfortable.

Age Concern & why it trades:
At a local level‚ Age Concern offers a range of services for older people‚ such as day centres‚ luncheon clubs‚ and advice and information services.

At a national level‚ Age Concern campaigns with and for older people: developing policy; influencing Government; training care professionals; supporting local Age Concern bodies‚ financially and professionally.

To fund this work‚ Age Concern needs a constant flow of independent income. It seeks to achieve this through a balance of traditional fund raising and trading activities.

Age Concern’s trading activities enable it to meet the needs of older people‚ through products specifically designed to meet these needs; quality products such as General Insurance and Energy Services.

Age Concern Enterprises Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority for general insurance (311438) Age Concern Enterprises Ltd is registered in England and Wales No. 3156159. Registered Office: Astral House‚ 1268 London Road‚ SW16 4ER Age Concern Enterprises Ltd is a trading company of Age Concern England and gives any profits to that registered charity.

For general enquiries about our products please contact us.

Journalists contact:
Trimedia
Derya Filiz
Elly Kestenbaum
Imogen Davies

Telephone:
0207 025 7500