Doorstep SCAMS

John Wainford has been investigating

What is a doorstep scam?

Doorstep scams happen when someone comes to your door and tries to con you out of money or get into your home. Many websites (police, Council, Which etc.) have advice on how to stay safe from scams. The golden rule is that if it looks too good to be true, it probably is.

Which.co.uk suggest:

  • Be on your guard: be suspicious of anyone turning up at the door uninvited – regardless of their story.
  • Put up a sign: place a sign in the window near your front door saying that uninvited callers are not welcome.
  • Keep your home secure: don’t let any stranger into your home. Keep your doors locked with the chain on.
  • Look for ID: ask to see the callers’ ID card and call the company to see if they are genuine – look up the company number yourself rather than trust a number on the ID card. If you feel uncomfortable or have any doubts, don’t let them in – it’s your home. Tell them you’re not interested or that now ‘isn’t convenient’ and ask them to come back at a different time (when you can have a friend or relative with you).
  • Set up a utilities password: you can set up a password with your gas and electricity providers so that you can be sure callers (such as meter readers) are genuine – only genuine callers will be aware of your password. Call your utility company to arrange this. To activate the service they might need to put you on their Priority Services Register
  • Nominate a neighbour: if you have a relative or friend who lives close by, ask if they’d mind being on standby in case you get any suspicious callers. Before letting a stranger into your house, give your neighbour a call and ask them to pop round. If you don’t know anyone nearby, contact your local Neighbourhood Watch Scheme or Safer Neighbourhood Team to find out if they can help.
  • Consider smart security devices: smart doorbells incorporate a camera and can enable you to speak to a caller without opening the door; some can also send a message to a relative notifying them that you have a visitor.
  • Take a photo: if you’re suspicious, ask the caller if you can take their photo on your mobile phone, then send it to a close friend or relative. If the caller is genuine, they probably won’t mind.
  • Call the police: if a caller is really persistent and refuses to leave, you can call 999. If you are suspicious, but not in immediate danger, call 101 (the police non-emergency numbe)r.

Common doorstep scams to look out for

Rogue traders

The scam: a trader will come to your home and offer to do some work for you at a special rate – this might be new paving or a new driveway. Another common tactic is to claim that you have a hole in your roof or damage to your guttering – usually something that you can’t easily check yourself. They’ll say that it’s very urgent and put pressure on you to get the work done immediately.

The reality: it’s highly likely that they’ve made up the problem. They might pretend to fix it or do a shoddy job. They’ll then charge you an extortionate amount for the ‘work’.

Hard-luck stories

The scam: a seemingly respectable and friendly stranger will turn up at your door pretending that, for example, they need to use the phone because ‘their car has broken down’, ‘their pregnant girlfriend is ill’, ‘they need a glass of water’ or similar.

The reality: they’ll say anything to make you feel sorry for them and will take advantage of your good nature to help them. While you fetch the water or go to get the phone, they might pocket your valuables. Or they might work in pairs – while one distracts you the other will get into your home.

Bogus officials

The scam: someone in uniform with an ID badge turns up at your door, maybe saying they need to read the gas meter or conduct a council survey.

The reality: their ID could be fake. They want to get into your home or trick you into divulging personal information that can be used for ID fraud.

Nottingham knockers

The scam: often carried out by young men selling products door to door They carry fake ID and claim to be recently out of prison, saying this is a legitimate rehabilitation scheme.

The reality: the products are supplied by a man (traditionally from Nottingham, hence the name) who employs them. The young men are dropped off to work an area, and then collected by the same man later that day. The knockers’ role is to establish where elderly or vulnerable people live, and this information is then sold on to other criminals. If they come to your door, the advice from the police is to phone 101 to report them. However persistent they are with their hard-luck stories, do not buy from them.

Advice and Reporting

If you are caught out by a scammer, don’t feel embarrassed. Please, to help others, report it.

Useful telephone numbers

Action Fraud 0300 123 2040

Citizens Advice Consumer Service 0808 223 1133

Age UK Advice Line 0800 678 1602