Have I been approached by a bogus caller?
We live in a very digital world but there are still times when in-person crime takes place. Keep yourself safe from bogus callers and doorstep criminals with these hints and tips. Unfortunately, the over 60s are targeted quite a lot with this style of crime due to the fact that they can be at home during the day. There are two main types of doorstep crime.
Bogus callers
These people will pose as someone that they aren’t such as a council worker, charity collector, police officer or utility worker asking to read a meter. They are trying to access your home or gain your personal details in order to steal identity, money or valuable items from inside your house.
Rogue traders
As we’re sure you may have seen on TV, rogue traders are tradespeople and businesses that do not correctly carry out the service that they are offering and that you are paying for. They will usually cold-call on the doorstep and visit you when you have not arranged for them too. They often sell a service such as repairs for your home, garden or driveway. They may actually carry out some of the work that they are proposing but it could be shoddy or with an extremely inflated price.
Usually a rogue trader will tell you to act with urgency and that your repair needs to be carried out straight away. Rogue traders also like to be paid upfront and in cash - both of which should ring alarm bells.
How to protect yourself from doorstep crime
- Be on your guard if someone turns up that you have not arranged to call
- Keep doors and windows locked when they are in easy reach of valuables or you are not in the room
- If you can, see if you recognise the person that is knocking at the door before you open it. If you’re not sure about the caller, don’t answer the door
- Only let people into your home if it is a pre-organised visit such as a meter reading
- Never give someone money at the door for something that you haven’t received yet. And don’t keep large amounts of money at home just in case someone does gain access
- Keep valuables and important documentation such as bills out of sight.
You can download a PDF version of this guide here.
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