Post by Denise on Nov 8, 2011 9:56:39 GMT
Urgent - Bogus calls to Care Services
The UKHCA are receiving reports from UK care regulators of domiciliary care services and care homes receiving bogus calls from people purporting to be inspectors, with fake ID badges. The people concerned are said to be quite plausible and armed with information from the internet, so it would be easy for providers to be misled.
The regulator in Wales, Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW), has asked the UKHCA to circulate the message included in full below urgently to providers in Wales (they have established this request is genuine). The Care Quality Commission is also asking providers in England to be alert, as bogus calls have taken place in the South East and East Midlands. The message for all providers is to be vigilant. If you have any doubts about a caller, contact the care regulator for verification and/or the police.
Message from CSSIW:
High Alert: Bogus callers to Care Services
CSSIW have received a number of recent reports of people trying to gain access to care services including care homes and domiciliary care agencies.
In some instances people are pretending to be inspectors and have fake ID, in others they are reporting as “new staff” ready for duty.
One incident occurred in the middle of the night.
We are advising all services to be vigilant and to contact their local CSSIW office if there is any doubt as to the identity of people who are claiming to be inspectors. Staff will be able to verify if people are CSSIW inspectors.
We are advising services to make a careful note of any particulars, e.g. any names used, car registrations etc and to notify the Police.
We are also asking services to alert their local CSSIW office of any incidents where they believe they have been subject to a bogus call. This will enable us to monitor the level of concern, provide advice and work with the Police to try and apprehend the people concerned.
This summer we received concern about possible undercover filming in care services. This may or may not be related to these recent concerns but services should be wary of any visitors acting suspiciously.
Your cooperation in taking this seriously is greatly appreciated.
David Francis
Assistant Chief Inspector CSSIW.
The UKHCA are receiving reports from UK care regulators of domiciliary care services and care homes receiving bogus calls from people purporting to be inspectors, with fake ID badges. The people concerned are said to be quite plausible and armed with information from the internet, so it would be easy for providers to be misled.
The regulator in Wales, Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW), has asked the UKHCA to circulate the message included in full below urgently to providers in Wales (they have established this request is genuine). The Care Quality Commission is also asking providers in England to be alert, as bogus calls have taken place in the South East and East Midlands. The message for all providers is to be vigilant. If you have any doubts about a caller, contact the care regulator for verification and/or the police.
Message from CSSIW:
High Alert: Bogus callers to Care Services
CSSIW have received a number of recent reports of people trying to gain access to care services including care homes and domiciliary care agencies.
In some instances people are pretending to be inspectors and have fake ID, in others they are reporting as “new staff” ready for duty.
One incident occurred in the middle of the night.
We are advising all services to be vigilant and to contact their local CSSIW office if there is any doubt as to the identity of people who are claiming to be inspectors. Staff will be able to verify if people are CSSIW inspectors.
We are advising services to make a careful note of any particulars, e.g. any names used, car registrations etc and to notify the Police.
We are also asking services to alert their local CSSIW office of any incidents where they believe they have been subject to a bogus call. This will enable us to monitor the level of concern, provide advice and work with the Police to try and apprehend the people concerned.
This summer we received concern about possible undercover filming in care services. This may or may not be related to these recent concerns but services should be wary of any visitors acting suspiciously.
Your cooperation in taking this seriously is greatly appreciated.
David Francis
Assistant Chief Inspector CSSIW.