Most people who call at your home will be people you know or are expecting. Occasionally you may be visited by a salesperson who turns up unannounced. Although these may often be legitimate, sometimes strangers turn up unannounced with the intention of either:
persuading you to part with your money for overpaid goods, OR work to your home and garden, that may not have been necessary, and may be shoddily completed IF completed at all; or
tricking their way into your home so that they, or a 'hidden' accomplice, can steal from you - known as distraction burglary.
These 'COLD CALLING' rogues appear in a number of guises. They can be men, women or children, and often pose as service engineers for the utility companies, council workers, or police officers. Sometimes they take the guise of businesses selling door-to-door or might simply pretend they need your help in an emergency. The list of methods they use is endless.
They will use false identity cards and often dress the part, wearing high visibility jackets if they are pretending to be from the utility companies. They may be smartly dressed if they are using high pressure sales techniques. They always have a story to get your attention, may make an offer they say 'you cannot afford to miss', or will play on your good nature. They are very convincing and extremely persuasive.
Practical steps you can take to make sure you do not become a victim:
Make sure you lock or latch your front and rear doors when you are at home
If you make an appointment to take place in your home, arrange for someone you know to be with you when you expect your caller
Should your doorbell sound or someone knock on your door, ask yourself: Am I expecting anyone? Do they have an appointment?
If someone has made an appointment to call at your home, before you open your door, ask him or her to place their identification through your letterbox or hold it against your window. Once you know the person's name and whom they work for make a check on their credentials by phoning the company
If they do not have an appointment, and claim to be an official, ask them to return at a pre-arranged time which is convenient to you. This gives you time to check them out.
If the "cold call" is from a trader tell them you are not interested and that they should go away. It is not rude to talk to someone through your door. It is a sensible precaution, and genuine callers will understand.
Some traders try to worry you by saying you need immediate repairs to your home, drive, garden etc. Do not simply take their 'word' for it. If you are worried, ask for an opinion from a local business, preferably recommended by friends or relatives. Alternatively you can contact Consumer Advice on 08454 04 05 06 for preshopping advice.
IF IN DOUBT KEEP THEM OUT!
To see our advice leaflet 'Strangers at the Door' - advice on how to deal with uninvited callers to your home - open the PDF document below:
If you are unfortunate enough to have become a victim of doorstep crime, please don't feel too embarrassed to report it to the Police or to Trading Standards on the Consumer Direct number:
08454 04 05 06
Or by email - using the online form.
By reporting it, you will almost certainly prevent this from happening to someone else.
Know your rights
If you do buy goods or services from your doorstep and at your home, you can find out more about your rights and contact Consumer Direct if something goes wrong.
Doncaster Trading Standards are working in partnership with local councillors, Community Safety Teams, Neighbourhood Watch and South Yorkshire Police for local residents who want to say "NO" to uninvited salespeople and to warn rogue traders and cold-callers that they are being watched!
'No Cold Calling Zone's' have already been set up in Doncaster aimed quite simply at sending the message out to doorstep sellers that 'we are not interested'.
If you, or your local community is interested at the possibility of setting up a zone in your area, then you can either contact Trading Standards or your local Community Safety Team on (01302) 736000.
