Protect yourself from doorstep scams
Watch veteran broadcaster Sir Martyn Lewis talk you through how to avoid being scammed on your doorstep.
Doorstep scammers commonly target older people, so it's helpful to know what to look for.
Doorstep scams happen when someone comes to your door and tries to scam you out of your money or gain access to your home. They can take the form of door-to-door sales, someone pretending to be a trader, charity collector or even someone in need of help.
Doorstep scammers aren't always pushy and persuasive, and may even seem polite or friendly, but that doesn't always mean you can trust them.
Here are some common types of doorstep scams to watch out for:
Traders who say they've noticed something wrong with your property that they can fix.
Watch out for people who come to your door claiming to be police officers or bank staff and ask to see your PIN or your bank cards. The real police would never come to your house and ask for this information.
Be wary or pushy sellers who say they have large discounts, time-limited offers or only a few items left.
People who claim to be from gas and electricity companies but don't have an official ID badge.
Deliveries of any goods or products that you didn't order.
People who go door-to-door saying they're charity collectors. They may seem pushy or be unable to supply a registered charity number.
People who ask to come into your home because they say they need help, for example to use your phone, or because they feel unwell or want to use the toilet.
Watch veteran broadcaster Sir Martyn Lewis talk you through how to avoid being scammed on your doorstep.
Remember, you don't have to open the door to anyone you don't know. If you are opening the door to a stranger, always think: Stop, Lock, Chain and Check.
There are some other ways you can avoid doorstep scams, too:
Remember – if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
If you've been scammed on your doorstep, there's support available:
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.
Find out more about what support is available to you if you've been scammed
We offer support through our free advice line on 0800 678 1602. Lines are open 8am-7pm, 365 days a year. We also have specialist advisers at over 120 local Age UKs.
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