A spokesman for the police told The Herald that the caller claimed to be a representative from a well-known local estate agents and said that he had been asked to survey the house and was calling to arrange a time to do the work.
After refusing the survey and hanging up on the conman, the resident dialled 1471 and discovered that the number had been withheld.
The incident, which happened at 4-40 pm last Tuesday, follows several similar others in which callers have tried to arrange times to survey peopleÕs homes.
So far, the spokesman said, the callers have been unsuccessful in making any arrangements with residents, but there are fears the calls will continue.
She urged anyone who receives a similar call to report the incident immediately to the police.
Waverley crime reduction advisor Pc Graeme Ingate said: ÒThe best advice is not to trade with any unknown caller. If you want a tradesman to carry out work on your house you should get a personal recommendation from a person you can trust, or ask the tradesman for references and check them out.Ó
Pc Ingate also suggested that people should contact Surrey Trading Standards on 01372 371717 if they are concerned about the honesty or qualifications of a tradesman.