Doorstep fraud will be on the rise as spring comes in, Cheshire Age UK has warned.
In its latest scams awareness newsletter, Age UK said that as the weather improved and daylight hours get longer, more people were out and about – but this also meant criminals targeting homes were also out and looking for victims.
The charity said that trading standards teams across Cheshire had recently seen a rise in doorstep fraud, particularly affecting older and more vulnerable residents.
Warned the newsletter: “These scams can happen quickly, often with little warning.
“The people involved may appear polite, friendly, and even helpful – but their aim is to pressure or trick you into handing over money or allowing access to your home.”
Doorstep fraud happens when someone goes to a home uninvited and tries to deceive their victim.
Their goal may be to:
• Get money from a householder for unnecessary or overpriced work;
• Gain access to their home to steal; or
• Collect personal or financial information.
Warned Age UK: “These individuals are often very convincing. They may dress smartly, use official-sounding language, or claim to be working in your area.
“Some even work in teams, with one person distracting you while another looks for opportunities to steal.
“It’s important to remember: You are never under any obligation to open your door or engage with someone you don’t know.”
The charity’s advice was never buy from someone who knocked unexpectedly; never let strangers in; never hand over cash, cards, or valuables, and always check identification carefully.
“Take your time – never be rushed into a decision.
Remember: If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts,” said the Macclesfield-based charity.
There are different types of crook:
• Rogue traders – will claim to have spotted a problem with a house, such as loose roof tiles, damaged guttering or issues with a driveway or garden. They often offer to fix it immediately, sometimes at a “discounted” rate. The work may be unnecessary, poorly done, or not completed at all.
Rogue traders often refuse to provide a written quote; pressure victims to make a quick or immediate decision; ask people to withdraw cash and request full payment upfront, and are unable to provide verifiable contact details, such as a genuine business address. Remember that reviews can be fake.
• Fake utility or council workers pretend to be from a gas, electricity, or water provider, or even the local council. They might say they need to check something urgently inside the home. Genuine workers will always carry identification.
• Police or bank staff: some criminals claim to be from the police or a bank. They may say an account has been compromised and ask to see a bank card, PIN, or valuables. Real police officers or bank staff will never do this.
People should also be cautious if someone tries to deliver goods that have not been ordered, especially if they ask for payment or personal details; beware of products at a “special price” that’s only available that day.
There are also periodic gangs of individuals claiming they are part of a rehabilitation or probation scheme, selling items such as cleaning products door-to-door. This is not a legitimate scheme, and they might pressure people into buying items at inflated prices, and target kind-hearted residents with sob stories.
The scams awareness team can be contacted at scams@ageukcheshire.org.uk or 01625 612 958 (option five).
The Citizens Advice consumer helpline is on 0808 223 1133.
Call 999 if feeling threatened or in immediate danger and call 101 to report suspicious activity.
If a trader refuses to leave or behaves aggressively, contact the police straight away.
(Photo: Gary Perkin / Dreamstime).
