Shut Out Scammers - Beat Doorstep Crime

News: Monday 15 April 2019

Doorstep crime is significantly underreported, often due to stigma where victims feel foolish or embarrassed about being deceived. The lack of reporting and intelligence provided to Police Scotland can result in offenders operating unchallenged. Doorstep crime can happen to anyone and you should come forward and report incidents without being embarrassed.

• If you feel threatened, unsafe or suspicious of a caller, contact the police immediately on 999
• If you see something suspicious in your area, or want more advice about doorstep crime, contact the police on 101. Try and take a note of vehicle details or registration numbers and descriptions of anyone suspicious
• If you want to contact the police anonymously, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on:
  0800 555 111. You can also visit its website at www.crimestoppers-uk.org
• If you need to know your consumer rights or want to report an issue to Trading Standards, then visit consumeradvice.scot or ring freephone: 0808 164 6000

Here is the advice from Police Scotland

Spread the message with your family, friends and neigbours.

• Be alert, doorstep criminals are operating in your area
• Be wary of cold callers at the door and on the phone, scammers can appear very legitimate
• People who come to your door asking to carry out work aren’t always what they seem
• Two words that will help us beat doorstep crime “no thanks”
• If in doubt keep them out – LOCK, STOP, CHAIN and CHECK
• LOCK: keep front and back doors locked
• STOP: Don’t open the door until you have checked through a viewer or window to see who is there
• CHAIN: Use a door chain or bar
• CHECK: only let callers in if they have an appointment and you have confirmed they are genuine
• Call the published number on the internet for their company or service to check if they are legitimate
• Do not use the telephone number provided by the caller
• Don’t commission work on the doorstep, get expert opinions and quote
• Only let callers in if they have an appointment and you have confirmed they are genuine

IF IN DOUBT, KEEP THEM OUT! 

If you are looking for reputable Tradespeople, see if there is a Trading Standards Trusted Trader Scheme operating in your area, or follow this link to Citizens Advice Scotland: Finding a trustworthy trader.

Please feel free to share this article to anyone who would find this information useful.