Knock Knock… Who’s There? It Could Be a Scammer

Doorstep scams are more common than you might think. In fact, recent research by home security company Ring found that nearly 1 in 5 adults were targeted in the past year alone. These scammers are convincing. They often pretend to be from trusted organisations like energy companies, security services, or well-known brands, all to gain your trust and your money.

So, how do they do it?

Fraudsters rely on pressure and clever tactics to catch people off guard. For example:

• They might say they were “working nearby” and noticed an issue with your home—conveniently offering to fix it using “leftover materials”.
• Some claim to have inspected areas you can’t easily access, like your roof or loft, and show photos or videos as “proof” of urgent damage (which may not even be your property).
• Others go as far as staging problems—like creating the appearance of damp—to make
  the issue seem real.
• A big red flag is pressure to pay immediately, often in cash, or requests for a deposit on
  the spot. In some cases, they’ll even offer to take you to the bank. Once you pay, they
  may keep finding new “problems” that need more money.

Of course, not everyone who knocks on your door has bad intentions. Utility workers, council officials, and charity representatives may call legitimately. The key is to always check before you trust.

How to protect yourself

• Always ask for ID—and don’t be afraid to double-check it.
• If you’re unsure, keep the door closed and contact the organisation directly using a
  trusted number.
• Never feel rushed into making a decision—genuine callers will not pressure you.
• Don’t hand over cash or agree to work on the spot.
• If something doesn’t feel right, say no.

If you’ve had a suspicious caller, you can also contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline for advice.

For more tips on staying safe, take a look at Report Fraud, which provides practical advice on avoiding doorstep fraud.

If in doubt, keep them out. It’s always okay to close the door and check first.

Other useful articles can be found in our Counter Fraud Newsletters on the Publications page.