Doorstep Crime
Don’t Deal at the Door
If in doubt,
keep them out!
London
1rading
standard~
What is
doorstep crime?
Doorstep callers are not always as genuine as they first appear. Some are criminals.
These people knock on your door then lie, cheat and trick you into giving them money
for work they say needs doing in your house or garden.
These callers may tell you that repairs need to be done to your home urgently. This work is
oen unnecessary, and prices charged are exorbitant.
The work they say needs to be done usually relates to property maintenance, such as
roofing, guttering, driveways, general building work and gardening.
They will oen find more and more work that needs to be carried out.
They may have put a card or leaflet through your letterbox advertising their services.
Some doorstep callers pretend to be somebody oicial, perhaps from a water or gas
company or the council, saying that urgent work needs to be undertaken.
Other callers may try to sell you things, like security systems or mobility aids, or lo
insulation.
With the recent massive increases in gas and electricity prices, there are more cold callers
oering insulation, double glazing, solar panels and heat pumps. The message is the same
- never deal with cold callers on your doorstep.
Tips to help
protect you:
Do not buy goods and services
from traders who call uninvited
at your home.
Consider fitting door chains so
that you have that additional
security when opening the door.
If you are expecting callers from
a utility company or the council,
set a password when you make
the arrangements that the caller
must give on arrival.
If anyone knocks on your door,
please make sure you check
their identification. Identity
cards can be faked – phone the
company independently to
verify them.
If someone is persistent, ask
them to call at another time
and get a friend or family
member to be with you.
Don’t feel pressurised into
agreeing to immediate
work or buying a product
or service.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Obtain three quotes and take
your time to decide – don’t
be pressurised into making
a decision.
Don’t keep large amounts
of money in your home and
don’t pay cash up front – ever.
Also, do not oer to go and
get money.
Ask what your
cancellation
rights are?
If you can, display a ‘No Cold
Calling’ sticker outside your
door. (See back page of this
booklet for an example).
Remember, it’s your home,
there’s no reason why anyone
should ever enter your home
against your wishes.
Always report any
suspicious activity.
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Report the matter to
Citizens Advice Consumer Service
0808 223 1133
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer
For some clear practical consumer advice or
to report an incident by contacting Trading
Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer
Services.
Action Fraud
0300 123 2040
www.actionfraud.police.uk
Provide a central point of contact for
information about fraud and financially
motivated internet crime.
Police
If the trader is on site and you feel
threatened contact the Police on 999 or to
report an incident aer the event on 101.
Trading Standards Doorstep Crime
Number
Your local Trading Standards Service may
have a dedicated doorstep crime number
for you to call if the trader is on site or you
need advice relating to a doorstep crime
matter.
My local Trading Standards
number is:
Our advice?
Don’t deal at the door,
no matter how urgent it seems.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Ask a trusted friend or family member for advice on reputable traders.
Consider using a reputable Trader Approved Scheme.
Contact your local Trading Standards or go online to see if they have
their own trader scheme.
Do your own research but do not always rely upon the information on
platform sites - trades can pay to go to the top of the listings.
Reviews on trader sites may not always be genuine.
If undertaking gas work, are they a registered gas engineer,
www.gassaferegister.co.uk
If undertaking electrical work, are they a registered electrician,
www.electricalcompetentperson.co.uk
Search any trade association websites if they claim to belong to one.
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
--
---
Use this page to make notes if you
have a suspicious doorstep caller
Date Time
Description of caller (include height, build, ethnicity, age, hair colour, facial hair, any
stand out features, what they were wearing, voice/accent)
Vehicle details (include make model and colour of vehicle and any names etc on a
trade vehicle)
Details of incident.
What was said?
How much was paid?
How was it paid?
Who was it paid to?
Keep any paperwork you may have been given safe inside this booklet
Don’t deal at the door, no
matter how urgent it seems.
Support Organisations
Age UK Advice Line - 0800 678 1602
www.ageuk.org.uk/services/age-uk-advice-line
Victim Support - 08 08 16 89 111
www.victimsupport.org.uk
Find an approved trader
Buy with Confidence - 01392 383430
www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk
TrustMark - 0333 555 1234
www.trustmark.org.uk
Which Trusted Trader - 0117 456 6031
www.trustedtraders.which.co.uk
Contact your local Trading Standards as they may have their own trader scheme.
The Consumer Protection from
Unfair Trading Regulations 2008
WARNING
We do not deal with
uninvited traders
PLEASE LEAVE
AND
DO NOT RETURN
Failure to do so is a
criminal offence
London Trading Standards
Display this notice, or contact your local
Trading Standards team to receive your sticker.
London Trading Standards
@LondonTradingStandards
@London_T_S
@lts_londontradingstandards