Beware of door step scammers

What is a doorstep scam?

When someone knocks on your door and attempts to rob you of your money or break into your house, it is called a doorstep scam.

Doorstep con artists aren't always demanding and convincing; they sometimes come off as charming or kind. Therefore, especially if you live alone, it's crucial to exercise caution while answering the door when you're not expecting anyone.

It can be quite simple to become a victim of a scam, but if you know what to look out for, you can avoid becoming a victim.

What are some common types of doorstep scams?

There are many different types of doorstep scams, some of the most common ones include:

• Rogue traders: A cold-caller may offer you a service you don’t really need. They may claim to have noticed something about your property that needs work or improvement, such as the roof, and offer to fix it for cash or an inflated price.
• Bogus officials: People claim to be from your utility company as a way of gaining access to your home. Always check the ID of any official, and if they're genuine they won't mind waiting while you check. 
• Fake charity collections: A fraudster may pretend they're from a charity and ask you to donate money, clothes or household goods. Legitimate charities will all have a charity number that can be checked on the Charity Commission website. 
• Made-up consumer surveys: Some scammers ask you to complete a survey so they can get hold of your personal details, or use it as a cover for persuading you to buy something you don’t want or need.
• Hard luck stories: Someone may come to your door and ask you to help them out with cash, ask to use your telephone or claim they're feeling unwell. The story is made up and intended to con you out of your money or gain access to your home.

How can I protect myself from doorstep scams?

There are things you can do to feel safer when answering the door, such as:

• Putting up a deterrent sign. You could put a ‘no cold callers’ sign up on your door or window, which should deter any cold callers from knocking on your door.
• Setting up passwords for utilities. You can set up a password with your utility companies to be used by anyone they send round to your home. Phone your utility company to find out how to do this.
• Nominating a neighbour. Find out if you have a nominated neighbour scheme where a neighbour can help to make sure if callers are safe.

If someone does come to the door, it's important to remember the following:

• Only let someone in if you're expecting them or they're a trusted friend, family member or professional. Don’t feel embarrassed about turning someone away.
• Don’t feel pressured. Don’t agree to sign a contract or hand over money at the door. Think about it and talk to someone you trust.
• Check their credentials. You should always check someone's credentials - a genuine person won't mind. You can phone the company they represent or check online, but never used contact details they give you.
• Don’t share your PIN. Never disclose your PIN number or let anyone persuade you to hand over your bank card or withdraw cash.
• Call the police. Call the police non-emergency number 101 if you’re not in immediate danger but want to report an incident. But call 999 if you feel threatened or in danger. 

What should I do if a doorstep fraud has victimised me?

The methods that con artists use to deceive people are continuously evolving, and doorstep scams are no exception. Don't be ashamed to report a scam if you've been the victim of one. Anyone can experience it.

Contact Action Fraud and the police to report the scam. Action Fraud may be able to find the con artist with the information you provide.