Thames Valley Police have received reports of cold callers in the Wokingham area. Doorstep callers or cold callers are traders who make unsolicited visits or telephone calls in an attempt to sell goods or services. Unscrupulous traders often target the elderly, isolated or vulnerable householders, and those who live alone. They call at homes unexpectedly, offering services or goods that residents have not asked for at a low price.
Common types of work offered include pressure washing, tree surgeon services, garden clearance, roof repairs or guttering and driveway work. Once work has begun, the price often increases quickly and claims that extra work is needed to complete the job are common. They may be verbally aggressive in order to pressure householders into paying or agreeing to extra work and use confusion tactics over quotes and pricing in order to make householders doubt what they had agreed. Typically, there is nothing in writing. Often they will fail to provide the required notice detailing cancellation rights, which is a criminal offence and sometimes offer to take householders to the bank to make cash withdrawals. Genuine reputable tradespeople do not need to find work in this way. Residents who buy goods or pay for work are likely to be targeted again.
Cold Calling can also be a cover for persons planning more serious offences such as Distraction Burglary, Car Crime or ‘Bogus Official’ offences such as pretending to be from the Water Board and needing to fix a leak, or from a Care Agency where entry is gained to a house by deception in order to steal while the occupant is distracted.
If someone does call at your door, please consider the following advice:
Stop: Are you expecting anybody, have you arranged any appointments?
Chain: Secure the door bar or chain before opening the door.
Check: Ask for and double check the caller’s ID. Legitimate traders will not mind you asking and should be able to prove who they are
-
- Don’t agree to any work or sign anything on the spot.
- Don’t feel pressured to buy. It is your home and your right to say ‘No’.
- Don’t ever go to a Bank or Cash point with a trader. Legitimate traders would never do this.
If you have vulnerable neighbours or family members who could potentially fall victim to these types of fraudulent individuals check in on them and report online or call 101 with details of suspicious vehicles or individuals.
If you suspect a crime is in progress or about to occur please note descriptions, if safe to do so, and contact police on 999.
Neighbourhood Watch is a successful crime prevention initiative. Getting together with your neighbours to take action can cut local crime. If you would like information on setting up or joining an established local scheme visit www.ourwatch.org.uk
The Public Protection Partnership may be able to assist you and your neighbours by creating a No Cold Calling Zone in your street or area. For more information on how they can help, visit: www.publicprotectionpartnership.org.uk