How to Deal With Cold Callers on Your Doorstep

Our homes should be a safe, secure and comfortable place where we are free from worry or harm. Unfortunately, some people fail to uphold respect for privacy and will use your home as an opportunity to sell or advertise a service. While not every doorstep salesman is a criminal, it is rarely a pleasant experience and it can be very difficult to identify when a doorstep seller is being honest or deceitful.

Cold callers at your home can be tough to deal with, especially without preparation, so Ideas In Action have put together a guide on how to deal with cold callers at your door, and give you some advice on how to handle a situation that might feel threatening or intimidating.

Did you know that we provide quality mobility scooters, stairlifts and powered wheelchairs across Birmingham? See our range in our showroom, or browse our website.

Updated January 2021 with further resources.

doorstep scam

Precaution

Cold callers can be persistent but it’s important to remember that this is your home; you have every right to be cautious and you’re not obligated to let anyone inside that you don’t feel comfortable with. When you hear a knock at the door, it’s always best to follow these steps:

Lock your doors

Before going to the front door, check that your back door – and any other entry point – is locked. Some scams may involve someone gaining access through the back while you’re distracted at your doorstep. Locking the door will prevent unwanted access.

Think

Are you expecting anyone? If not, be extra cautious when answering the door.

Check

First, you can check through the window or peephole, if you have one.

Examine

If they do provide identification, examine it thoroughly. If it’s just a card with a mobile phone number on it, it’s best to throw it in the bin right away and refuse to give the caller any of your time. A reputable tradesperson should be able to present qualifications, identification, their company address/contact information and references from previous customers.

You can put the chain on the door for extra security – keeping you in control of the situation. If they identify themselves, as a representative for a firm or company, for example, ask for official identification. If they fail to provide any, then ask them to leave and not to return without identification.

If you’re still wary after this, you can call their company for further verification. You can also tell them that you’re not interested and walk away. At this point, if they persist, you can always call for help. Dial for the police with 999 – or if you don’t feel like you’re in danger you can dial the non-emergency 101 number to report the situation.

The main thing to keep in mind is to stay calm and remember that legitimate sellers and tradespeople should have no problem with you taking these precautions. If a cold caller complains or persists by trying to verbally persuade you to let them in, for instance, you should keep them out of your home and phone for help.

‘No cold callers’ sign

An effective way to deter uninvited callers is to place a notice on your door, informing people that you won’t respond to or accept unsolicited callers. This will stop most callers from knocking on your door, and if one does so then you can simply refer them to the notice. If they don’t leave, you can report them over the phone. As we mentioned, the non-emergency 101 number can provide comprehensive, real time advice to help you through the situation.

Tell family, friends and neighbours

If you come into contact with a cold caller or a suspicious tradesperson, make sure to notify your neighbours as well as any friends or family. You don’t have to deal with cold callers alone, and involving others will help make you feel more secure as well as providing you with more support.

Don’t buy at the door

No matter who is calling or what they seem to be offering, it’s always wise not to buy anything from cold callers. This is because they will often rely on high pressure sales techniques, offering services at an inflated price without any assurance that the work or service will be provided. They may try to get you to sign something, but this is a technique only used by scammers.

A legitimate tradesman will understand if you’re hesitant or not interested and will respect your choice, and won’t pressure you into an instant decision. To avoid a high pressure sales situation it’s better to leave the caller on the doorstep and not let them into your home in the first place. Remember, you can always phone 999 or 101 for help with pushy or aggressive callers.

A tradesmen might say something like ‘I was driving by and noticed you needed: your roof fixing, your tree cutting, or something along those lines. This is a common technique and they will offer a quick service or ‘limited discount’ in an attempt to gain your money. Just tell them that you’re not interested, or you would like more time to think about it.

Don’t be worried about saying ‘no’

A simple no should be enough and you can do further research on the tradesmen and their company once they’ve left, reporting them if necessary.

If you do find that you want work done around the property, always find reputable, trustworthy companies yourself. Ask for advice about firms others have used, and phone to make an official appointment. Even if a cold caller does make you aware of something that needs to be fixed, you’re not obligated to accept their services. It’s always best to use a trustworthy company that will come to your home on request instead of showing up uninvited.

With cold callers on your doorstep, it’s always best to be cautious. Even if they seem trustworthy, it’s wise to send them away and request them to make an official appointment in writing.

You should never have to feel threatened or uncomfortable in your own home, so keep cold callers outside and only let someone in if:

you have dealt with them in the past and known them to be trustworthy.
they have an appointment and you are expecting them.

Be especially wary of people:

claiming to conduct a survey
asking to use your phone for an ‘emergency’
asking to borrow some money

These are common scam techniques which target the elderly, especially those who live on their own.

Further Resources

For more information about cold caller and other kinds of scammers, please browse these resources:

Ideas In Action offer professional mobility advice and equipment and always work with care and understanding to help you find the best possible solution. As an experienced, care-oriented company we never cold call, and all our products are of the highest quality and benefit from a comprehensive aftercare service.

We’re here to help you every step of the way so please feel free to contact us today – we are always happy to help.