North Yorkshire Police often get asked for advice on door to door sellers. So we thought we would give you some advice. Please do share this advice with friends or neighbours who may benefit from it.
There are legitimate companies who will go door to door conducting sales enquiries, they will always have identification and will be more than happy to wait whilst you confirm they are who they say they are.
The ones that the Police and our community are most concerned about are the ones who do not have a legitimate reason to be calling door to door and do not have the relevant license in order to do so. In some instances there is a risk that these are distraction burglars.
They often state;
“I’ve just got out of prison and I am trying to earn an honest living”
“I have just left the army and I am homeless”
“I need to feed my kids”
Invariably these are not true.
Things you can do to keep yourself safe
- use a door viewer to see who’s there
- if you open the door put the chain on first
- always ask for ID and check it with the company or organisation before letting somebody into your home
- use the phone number advertised on an official website or online, as the number on their identity card could be fake. For a utility company, call the customer service department.
- Close the door while you do this
- remember that genuine callers won’t mind checks. If you feel at all unsure, schedule a time for the caller to come back when a friend or relative is there
- for pre-planned appointments with utility companies, a password scheme can be set up
Always remember. “If in doubt, keep them out”.
If you feel threatened or in danger by the presence of the caller, please don’t hesitate to call 999 for an emergency response.
Also report any suspicious people or vehicles in your area via the North Yorkshire Police website or by calling 101.
Even the smallest piece of information can prove to be crucial in making arrests and securing justice for victims.
If you need and further security or safety advice, please do contact North Yorkshire Police