Door step threat to householders is a very real problem. It can even happen by telephone! The threat ranges from bogus
callers to con men to beggars. But defence is quite easy- it is a simple question of be alert and having a clear procedure
in your heda.
I have below outlined some of the problems and then devised some simple precautions/defences you can take.
Types of Problems
1. Bogus callers: These can be people pretending to be from, say, the waterboard or other agencies needing
access to your home. Once in the householder is distracted whilst a burglary takes place.
2. Con men: By phone or on the door step. Pretend to have identified a problem (or a legacy in a will) affecting
you and your assistance is need. Over the course of clever talking you are persuaded t part with confidential informnation
or even money.
3. Rogue tradesmen: Increasing. Someone knocks at your door, says they are working in youre street at a neighbours
(eg repairing roof, felling a tree) and they notice that (for example) you have a tile lose on your roof which could be dangerous
and he will fix it for you. Usually these people will actually then do damage and present you with a huge bill or just
a bill for work that was never done or never needed doing.
4. Phone time theft:: A distreesd lady turns up at the door, she has broken down and needs to telephone her
huband can she make a call please. The call she actually makes is to a very high priced premium line which she has riggged
up owns which is say £15 a minute; she talks for say 6 minutes, she has made a nice profit out of you!
5. Beggars: Sadly on the increase with illegal immigration etc. Typical lines: need money for a funeral,
or for a taxi or bus. Never give money. Never give detauls.
6. Snooping: Again on oncrease due to above. Sifting through dustbins for personal details to be used for identity
fraud etc.
7, Casing the joint: Burglars/druggies finding out if you are home: someone knocks on the door "oh is so and so
in please?". (fictitous). "oh sorry I must have been given the wrong house number". They were checking if anyone is at home.
Defending Yourself:
1. Always shred personal data before putting it in your bin.
2. Never let anyone in your home unless you know them well or unless they have official and photo identification (even
then you can telephone to check).
3. In such cases never leave door unattended, never leave anyone alone in a room etc.
3. Always answer the door with the door chain on.
4. If you decide to help someone who appears to need it to make a call, make sure you place the call yourself and
that it is a standard landline.
5. Never do business on the doorstep except for example deliveries from your own milkman etc.
6. Never sign something on the spot. Read it through at your leisure and ask them to come back.
7. Never agree to any sales on the telephone (cold calling). If it is something you are interested in then
ask for written literature to be sent you.
8. Never give out bank or credit card details on the phone- even from someone claiming to be from your bank.
9. Sign up for the Telephone Preference System: this will dramatically reduce the number of cold calls you get.
