Doorstep crime - Trading Standards

Doorstep crime commonly involves unannounced doorstep calls at your home, by a person often posing as a trader. The trader may claim they have noticed your property is in need of some repair or other urgent work, which they will offer to do for you as they were ‘just passing by’ or ‘working in the same area’. They may even claim to have materials left over from a previous job which will help reduce any costs to yourself! Doorstep traders will often try and pressure householders into having work done. Often the work is unnecessary and the doorstep trader will often charge more than is reasonable. Sometimes householders are charged a significant amount up front for materials, only for the caller to disappear without even starting any work.

How to avoid falling victim to doorstep crime

Here are a few tips on how to avoid becoming a victim of a doorstep crime:

• unsolicited doorstep call from a stranger out of the blue - be suspicious and never invite them into your home!
• is the doorstep trader behaving like they are doing you a favour, or going out of their way to help you – if so, ask yourself why?
• if you’re interested in what the visitor is offering; shop around first and buy from a local reputable business or contact Trading Standards for details of their Buy with Confidence scheme
• don't be rushed or intimidated into a making a quick decision. You decide who provides any goods or services in your own home, not the trader
• if in doubt, politely ask them to leave and close the door. If you are concerned about what has happened or you feel vulnerable in any way, report the matter as soon as possible by telephoning 0808 223 1133
• never pay money or provide your bank details to someone you have never met, or to someone that pressures you to make payment against your will.
• avoid keeping large amounts of cash in your home
• if you suspect the visitor isn't who they say they are - close the door and make a call to check they are genuine

If you are visited by someone unexpectedly, trust your gut feeling – if it doesn't feel right or seems too good to be true, then it probably is!

How to help protect yourself from doorstep crime

Always check the caller’s identity and whether the business is legitimate, before deciding whether to listen to what they are offering.

Don’t be rushed into agreeing to any work to being carried out.

If you do agree to work being carried out, make sure you receive a written signed agreement, marked with the trader’s details, detailing what work is to be carried out, the timescale of the work and how much it will cost. If you agree to the work while in your home, you should also be given a written notice informing you of a 14 day cooling-off period in which to cancel the contract, if you change your mind. If the trader fails to provide you with a notice informing you of this, they are breaking the law.

Do not pay any money or give your bank account details.

If any threats are made or you suspect possible burglary or violence, call the police immediately on the 999-emergency number.

Before you do decide to have any work carried out, seek advice from family, friends, or reputable traders. You can also view a list of approved traders at Buy With Confidence.

Seek at least three quotes from other traders before agreeing to what is being offered by the caller. It is advisable not to agree to a contract with a trader who resorts to knocking door to door, to get work. There are plenty of reputable traders that do not make unsolicited doorstep calls. Doorstep traders can be very hard to trace when something goes wrong!

Consider displaying a sticker or notice in or near your front door to deter any cold callers – the notice could state:

Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008

We do NOT deal with uninvited traders.

Please leave and do NOT return.

Failure do so is a criminal offence.

If a trader does not leave your property when you have asked them to, they are potentially committing an offence.

No cold calling zones

A ‘no cold calling zone’ is a designated area which is designed to act as a deterrent to unscrupulous traders and bogus doorstep callers.

Such individuals and companies often make unsolicited doorstep calls to try and obtain money dishonestly, from unsuspecting residents

Central Bedfordshire Council operates the no cold calling zones within its administrative area.

There is no law preventing cold calling, but it is a criminal offence if a trader does not leave your premises, if you ask them to do so, or is not honest about the goods or services they are selling.

We will follow up any reported incident of cold calling. This may be limited to tracing the cold caller and finding out why they have chosen to ignore the ‘no cold calling zone’, but it may also include further formal enquiries if any criminal offences are identified.

You can report a trader or bogus doorstep caller on 0808 223 1133.