Doorstep Sellers - It Could Be a Scam
Police warn against falling for hard luck story from people offering household products
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Police have warned about buying items from doorstep sellers claiming to be on a rehabilitation programme from prison as ex-offenders. Southfield Police said they have been active in the W4 area of late and some elderly people have parted with money out of kindness.
Image supplied by MPS
Stuart Honey, of Southfield Ward says; "They are doorstep callers who target areas offering small household products for sale. These callers may claim to be ex-convicts attempting to mend their ways, however they are not part of any recognised rehabilitation scheme.
"Please warn your neighbours, particularly elderly or vulnerable
neighbours, not to open the door to strangers or buy goods on the doorstep.
Some doorstep callers may offer poor quality goods at inflated prices
and if a caller is not genuine, they may be gathering information for
future crime. Please keep in mind that if cold callers don’t get
any sales in your area, they are less likely to return."
The sellers may say that they are on a “rehabilitation course”
arranged by probation services or other organisations trying to find people
work. This is not the case and often they are known criminals. Probation
services do not run such schemes.
The bag of household products they are selling is supplied by someone who employs them. The males / females are supplied with a full bag of products (including the typical tea-towels! ) and charged a minimal sum for the contents – it used to be £35. They can keep whatever they make, above this amount.
Usually they are deposited in an area from a transit van and given a list of streets to work. An hour or so later they are picked up and dropped off in another location. They often work from 9am to 9pm.
They will knock on a door, offering cleaning items which they know are cheap and of very poor quality. The householder also knows they are rubbish but that is part of the scam. Many people will purchase items and pay them out of their good nature as they have fallen for their story, or just to get rid of them. There have been cases of elderly residents handing over large sums as these people can be very persistent and confrontational.
The price for whatever has been purchased usually comes to a note –
usually £10. This is handed to their employer and there is a small
amount of cash handed back to each one.
TURN THEM AWAY..REMEMBER if cold callers don’t get any sales in
your area, they are less likely to return.
If you are not expecting anyone you should always check who is knocking at your door before opening it. It is a good idea to install a spyhole. These are very reasonably priced and easy to install.
If you do open it and find yourself faced with one of these people you
must politely decline.
Do not get involved in a discussion as to the validity or legality of
what they are doing. Just tell them that you do not buy anything at the
door
If you are in any way in fear for your safety or the callers are particularly persistent you must dial 999.
July 4, 2019
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