Buying on your doorstep can be convenient and many honest businesses use this technique to sell you goods or services in your home or on your doorstep – but so do fraudsters. Bogus tradesmen, door-to-door sales or doorstep fraud may involve promoting goods or services that are either faulty, overpriced, or substandard and items or services you never receive. Fraud by rogue or bogus traders or door to door sellers is very common and often involves fees being paid in advance of work being done, over inflated estimates, or costs that seem to keep rising – all because the fraudsters are trying to get at your money.

DON’T

• Be pressured into buying something you don’t want or need, or something that’s poor value for money.

• Enter a contract where the terms and conditions do not protect your consumer rights.

• Let someone into your home, without knowing where they are at all times. Be very wary of allowing more than one person in. If you are in any doubt, don’t let anyone in, but politely say you are busy at the moment, ask them for a card with a name and contact number on and say you’ll contact them to make an appointment in the future. If you intend to do this, make sure someone trusted is with you for that appointment.

• Be afraid to politely tell the salesperson that you are not interested and ask that they leave if you feel pressured.

• Pay by cash for a discount or by bank transfer, as this payment method offers no protection, and you will not be able to get your money back. Do not pay for services in advance.

• Have work done, before obtaining a number of quotes before going ahead with work on your home so you can compare the price and service offered.

• Settle for overpriced or substandard home maintenance or improvements. In some cases, fraudsters may also bill you for work that you did not agree to.

• Act straight away – seek advice and make your own checks. Genuine callers from these organisations will always be prepared to allow you time to check their authenticity.

DO

• Be wary of opening your door to strangers or letting them into your home. If you have a door chain, use it!

• Ask to see some form of identification from the seller (ideally a photo ID). But beware that not all ID is genuine, even if it looks real. Make a note of the name, phone number and company. Genuine sellers won’t mind you doing this.

• Always ask about the ‘cooling-off’ period (where you can change your mind or request your money back), as all salespersons need to tell you about this.

• Pay for any goods or services by credit or debit card, as this can give you some protection.

• Ask them for a contact name, email and phone number, say that you are busy at the moment, and you need to talk any decisions like this through with a family member or friend first. Say that you will make contact with them if you are interested. Thank them for their time and say that you need to get on with something to encourage them to leave.

• Keep a phone near you and use it if you are feeling nervous, contact a family member, neighbour or friend – or ring 101, or 999 in an emergency, to contact the Police.

• Make a note of any vehicle registration numbers if you see them getting in or out of one, but don’t put yourself at risk.

• Make background checks through Companies House, “Buy With Confidence” or “Safe Local Trades”.

• Check the reviews of any company you may be considering to do work for you, or in your home – and also check that they are real reviews! Most legitimate companies will have a footprint on the internet, if you cannot find them by a google search they may not exist.

Remember your ABC … and D

A – Assume nothing

B – Believe no-one

C – CHECK everything

And, D – Discuss with a friend / family / expert

If you are ever in doubt we would encourage you to report any suspicious activity via 101 for a non-emergency or online via our website Home | Cambridgeshire Constabulary (cambs.police.uk) . Always call 999 in an emergency or if the suspect is still on scene. 

PC 1864 Jodie SKELLS
Police constable
Neighbourhood Policing | Neighbourhood Support