Protect yourself from doorstep sellers

Who are some of these people who knock on your door
offering to do a job for you?
Why would you consider having work done when there is no guarantee or cancellation rights?
How do you know if these people are insured
against damaging your home?

Hampshire County Council’s Trading Standards Department urges you not to buy goods or services from cold callers at your door. Some are genuine but many are not, often leaving behind shoddy work and further expense to have the work rectified.

If you are elderly, you are more likely to be targeted by these rogues. They prey on you for your money and often come back for more. Often they will offer to take you to the bank to withdraw the cash.

Sometimes they pretend to be from the council or the water board to investigate a problem. Before letting anyone into your home, check them out. Always take the caller’s ID and check it carefully, telephone the organisation to confirm they should be calling on you. If you are still unsure, ask them to make an appointment to come back when you have someone with you.
If you have doubts about a caller, telephone the Police 999 or Trading Standards 01962 869765 to report the details.

Use Hampshire County Council’s Buy With Confidence Scheme to obtain the name and contact number of a reliable, vetted trader. Information can be found on http://www.buywithconfidence.info 
or by telephoning 01962 869765.

Use the number above to report incidences of doorstep traders, shoddy work and inflated prices as quickly as possible. You may well help to stop someone else being caught too or email: doorstep.crime@hants.gov.uk

If you would like a free speaker to talk to your older persons group or club, please call 01962 846232