Be aware of doorstep criminals

We use the term 'doorstep crime' to describe bogus officials, distraction burglars, and rogue trading.

Bogus officials

Bogus officials are a type of doorstep criminal who pretend they have a legitimate reason to enter your home. They may try to pressure you to act quickly. Some common tactics include:

• Pretending to be from a gas or water company saying there is a problem in the area.
• Pretending to be plain clothed Police Officers, Trading Standards Officers or other official persons.

Once inside, they will try to distract you so that they can steal from you.

Remember:

• Do not let unexpected callers into your home. If in doubt…keep them out
• It is best not to open the door to anyone you don't know. If you do decide to speak to unexpected visitors consider doing so through the closed door or speak to them through a front window or through your video doorbell if you have one.
• If they are legitimate they won’t mind you calling the company to verify their visit. Always use the contact number on your own bills or from their official website – not a number given to you by the caller.
• Some public utility services (e.g. water, electricity, gas) operate a password system. Contact your local branch to find out more.
• You may find it handy to keep a list of useful telephone numbers by the phone so that you know the genuine company number if needed.
• Report bogus officials to the Police online Report a crime | Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary or by calling 101. 
• If you feel threatened or in danger by the presence of the doorstep caller, call 999.

Distraction Burglary

Distraction burglars use a variety of excuses to try to enter your home, or keep you distracted at the door, while their accomplice enters and searches for valuables. This can include:

• Pretending they need some help (for example they have lost a pet, their car has broken down, they need to use your phone, or they need to use your bathroom).
• Saying they are an old friend.
• Collecting for charity.
• Conducting a survey.

Remember:

• You don’t have to answer the door. If in doubt – keep them out.
• It is best not to open the door to anyone you don't know. If you do decide to speak to an unexpected visitor consider doing so through the closed door or speak to them through a front window or through your video doorbell if you have one.
• If you do decide to answer the door, remember to check other doors and windows are locked before answering so no one else can sneak in. Keep the chain on the door if you have one.

Report suspicious callers to the Police online (Report a crime | Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary) or by calling 101. 

If there is a crime happening right now, or you feel threatened or in danger by the presence of the doorstep caller, call 999.

Rogue Traders

Rogue Traders are people who call at your door pretending to be qualified tradespeople offering to do work on your home. They may:

• suggest urgent repairs need carrying out at your home.
• start work on your home or garden without your consent e.g. jet wash half your driveway and then insist you pay for the work done.
• pressurise you to make a quick decision to have work done, pay in advance for materials or do poor work at highly inflated prices.

A rogue trader may leaflet an area before making doorstep calls and often offer roofing, gardening and handyperson jobs. They may refuse to take ‘no’ for an answer and use pushy tactics.

Remember:

• You don’t have to answer the door. If in doubt – keep them out.
• Obtain three written quotes before choosing a trader.
• Visit the Buy With Confidence website for businesses vetted and approved by Trading Standards to ensure that they operate in a legal, honest and fair way: Buy with confidence
• Know your consumer rights regarding ‘cooling-off periods’. Visit the Citizens Advice websitefor information. Rogue Traders don’t offer a “cooling off period” or give refunds if you change your mind. If you have been scammed report it immediately to your bank.
• Don’t pay any money upfront, particularly in cash. Only pay for work once it has been completed, and you are satisfied with the job.
• Don’t hand over a cheque – they cannot be stopped very easily and they contain all your personal and financial details which can enable criminals to take out loans/credit in your name.
• If the spending is between £100 and £30,000 – pay by credit card then you have rights under the Consumer Credit Act and will be refunded if anything goes wrong.
• Report issues with rogue traders to Hampshire Police online Report a crime | Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary or by calling 101.
• Report issues with companies to Hampshire Trading Standards via Citizens Advice online or by calling 0345 404 0506.
• If you feel threatened or in danger by the presence of the doorstep caller, call 999.

Advice

If it's an emergency, call 999 now.

You can also provide information to the independent Crimestoppers charity if you want to stay anonymous: call them on 0800 555 111.  

You can use accessible contact methods to contact us.

Bank Hotline:

If you think you are being scammed call 159, the hotline helps to report and tackle fraud. It will connect you to your bank directly to make a report. Find out more here.

Neighbourhood Watch Scheme:

There are Neighbourhood Watch schemes set up across Hampshire and IOW, which aim to bring the people of the area together to make communities safer. To learn more, and to find your local scheme, visit their website.

Bobby Scheme:

If you have been a victim of a doorstep crime you can contact the Bobby Scheme to find out about their crime prevention home visits: https://www.bluelamptrust.org.uk/bobby-scheme-landingpage/ :

Victim Care Hub

The Victim Care Hub provides free, confidential support for victims of crime and those impacted by crime who are residents of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

Our aim is to help you cope and recover from the effects of crime, regardless of whether or not you have reported to the police.

Home - Hampshire Victim Care Hub (hampshireiowvictimcare.co.uk)

Stop! Think Fraud Campaign

Stop! Think Fraud - How to stay safe from scams (stopthinkfraud.campaign.gov.uk)

In our video below you can see Sarah Cohen, one of our crime prevention advisors, give a short introduction to preventing doorstep crime.

In the video below Sarah also tells you how to identify and prevent courier fraud.

In the video below you can see how one of our Neighbourhood Watch coordinators supports neighbourhood policing teams in Southampton.