How to spot scams and stay safe from doorstep dangers | Tenant news

Most of us answer the door without thinking, but not everyone who knocks has good intentions.

Scammers and fraudsters may come to your door or contact you to trick you into handing over money, personal information or to get into your home.

Knowing what to watch for and how to react can help keep you and your community safe.

Common doorstep scams

Doorstep scams can take many forms and criminals often use pressure or deception to get what they want.

It can be hard to spot a scammer at first as they often appear polite, helpful, or professional.

Fraudsters may offer unnecessary repairs or services, pressure you into paying for work you didn’t request, or claim they need to carry out inspections on your home.

Be wary of pushy sellers who say they have large discounts, time-limited offers or only a few items left.

Courier scams are also common, where someone says they are collecting bank cards, cash, or valuables on behalf of your bank or the police.

Genuine organisations will never ask you to hand over your card or PIN.

Warning signs

Unexpected visits from people claiming to be from a utility company, council, or charity should be treated with caution.

Scammers often create a sense of urgency, insisting you must pay immediately or that an offer is only valid for a short time. They may ask for unusual forms of payment such as cash, vouchers, or bank transfers.

A genuine worker will always allow you time to check their identity, so anyone refusing to wait or provide official ID is suspicious.

Protect yourself

Displaying a ‘No cold callers’ sign can help put scammers off even knocking at your door and you can also set up a password with your utility providers to help confirm genuine workers

When you hear the doorbell or someone knocks, start by asking yourself if you’re expecting anyone. If not, lock any other doors, put the door chain on if you have one, and look through the peephole to see who’s there before you open up.

Check identity cards carefully and, if you’re unsure, phone the company they claim to represent using a trusted number.

You should never feel pressured to say yes, sign documents, or accept deliveries you didn’t order and of course never hand over bank cards, cash, jewellery or valuables to anyone claiming to be from your bank or the police.

Never buy from door-to-door sellers as goods may be fake, faulty or stolen.

Vulnerable neighbours

Some people are more at risk, particularly older or isolated neighbours.

You can support them by keeping an eye and ear out and reporting any suspicious activity.

Sharing information with neighbours about scams in your area, and discussing how to respond, can help prevent others from becoming victims.

Reporting scams

If you've been scammed on your doorstep, there's support available:

• Action Fraud: If you suspect that you've been scammed, report it to Action Fraud either over the phone or via their website.
• Citizens Advice: Contact them if you've been scammed on your doorstep and they'll pass your report on to Trading Standards.

Call 999 to speak to the police in an emergency, or 101 if you're not in immediate danger and want to report the incident.

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