Bogus Callers

Bogus callers and rogue traders

most people who call at your home or on the phone will be genuine but sometimes people come with other intentions. Some may try to trick their way into your home to steal from you or sell you goods and services using illegal selling techniques. These are known as “bogus callers”

They may pose as utility workers with false IDs or as someone in trouble needing your help.

“Rogue traders” turn up unannounced, claiming to be workers offering to sell services, making repairs or carrying out work on your house, garden or driveway.

Advice on dealing with doorstep callers

If someone you don't know calls at your door follow these simple steps:

  • keep your doors locked, even when at home
  • check who’s at the door through the spy hole and use a door chain
  • ask to see ID and check it looks genuine (photo, expiry date etc)

If in doubt:

  • call the person’s company
  • use the password scheme set up by all gas, electricity and water companies
  • use a Nominated Neighbour Scheme if available

    Five key tips for staying safe against bogus callers

    1. Always be on your guard if you receive a cold call and are asked for personal or financial information, or to hand over your card or cash to someone.
    2. The bank or the police will never tell you to take such actions, so if you're asked it can only be a criminal attack.
    3. Fraudsters may ask consumers to hang up and phone back, in a bid to win confidence. But this is a trick where the receiver is not put down at their end, leaving the line open, allowing the fraudster to simply restart the conservation when the consumer thinks a new call has been made.
    4. If suspicious, wait a full five minutes before attempting to make a call. After five minutes has passed, try to call a friend or family member first to make sure the line is free, or use a second phone where available.
    5. Never give out your four-digit PIN over the phone, even if you believe you are talking to a genuine police officer or bank personnel.

    If you receive a call asking for personal or financial information, don't be afraid to tell the caller you will call the police to verify their identity. A genuine caller will not mind waiting while you carry out security checks with the police.

    For more information

    If you have any information about bogus callers contact the Police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

    If you believe a crime is in progress, please call 999 immediatley

           You can also contact Citizens Advice on 03454 040 506 for advice about bogus callers or doorstep sellers 

Victims of bogus callers

Anyone who has been affected by a” bogus caller” or a “rogue trader” can speak in confidence to Victim Support by calling the support line on 08 08 16 89 111.

You don't have to have reported the crime to the Police and there is no time limit on when the incident happened.

Join your local Neighbourhood Watch scheme – for details call 01622 653212 or visit www.kent.police.uk/neighbourhoodwatch

Report Bogus Callers

If you are worried about someone who has called at your home, if you have agreed to have work done or need advice about work carried out already, contact the Citizens’ Advice Consumer Helpline on 08454 04 05 06.