BRITISH Gas is urging Preston residents to be on their guard following a series of bogus caller incidents in the area.

The reminder comes as energy saving advisers from the company prepare to visit homes in Preston (PR1 and PR2 postcodes) in October.

British Gas area manager Julian Anderton said: "We have had various reports of people visiting homes claiming to be from our company, sometimes calling in the evening and apparently asking people to sign forms."

Basic security checks include:

attaching door chains before answering;

never handing over cash in advance or allowing callers to drive you to the bank;

and checking identification.

Customers wanting more information about using the British Gas password scheme can call 0645 555 404 (charged at local rate).

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