Doorstep scams on the rise after lockdown, warns Which?

The latest investigation by Which? has found that doorstep fraudsters are back with a vengeance and have been using new coronavirus scams to target the most vulnerable.

According to Action Fraud data, £18.7 million was lost to doorstep crime in 2020 alone. With many in-person scams believed to go unreported, the true figures could be even higher.

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Doorstep scams can come in many forms. For example, fraudsters might offer building, gardening or home improvement services and then overcharge for or never complete the work. Fraudsters also often pose as salespeople or charity workers as a means of parting people from their hard-earned cash.

The number of reports to police for this type of fraud in April 2020 was 46 per-cent lower than April 2019 as doorstep sellers were banned during the lockdown.

Scams can come in many forms (stock).

However, by summer 2020, reports of doorstep scams had returned to pre-pandemic levels, with fewer restrictions stopping fraudsters from going out.

Fraudsters using the pandemic to scam people

Which? research has found that scammers have exploited vulnerable people’s uncertainty and isolation during the lockdowns and used the pandemic as an opportunity to create new coronavirus frauds and recycle old scams.

A survey of 1,186 Which? members found that 16 per-cent have received unsolicited visits from someone claiming to be a salesperson or charity worker since the start of the first lockdown.

While 9 per-cent said that they felt the visitor was pressuring them into making a purchase or performing a certain action, such as donating.

Although Which? doesn’t know how many of these visits were scams, even genuine doorstep selling can leave consumers at a disadvantage. These unexpected visits can also be unnerving – especially for elderly or vulnerable people or if the salesperson is particularly pushy.

Fraudsters can try to take your hard-earned cash (stock).

Which? member William Grayson, 81, lives alone in Weston-super-Mare, a 40 minute drive from his closest relatives.

William was visited at his home by two volunteers from a ‘Covid support group’ who offered to do shopping and errands for him while he was shielding. He gave the young couple £200 cash over two visits for food and home essentials but never got his shopping.

He said: “Realising these people were out to get me made a dark time even darker for me to be honest.”

Scams to be aware of

There are sadly countless ways these evil fraudsters can work, including pretending to be charity workers, from the NHS as well as tradespeople.

Which? has heard from other victims across the UK who have been targeted by fraudsters claiming to be from local NHS services offering fast-track testing and vaccines, collecting donations for fake charities and selling vitamin pills that ‘protect against’ Covid-19.

As a rule of thumb - don't buy things at your door (stock)

NHS services across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland continue to stress that all testing and vaccine services are free of charge, and nobody will ever turn up at someone’s home without warning. Those being vaccinated at home will likely be contacted in advance by their local NHS service, or regular district nurse, to arrange an appointment.

An increase in home improvement projects during lockdown provided scammers with new opportunities to rehash old scams.

Over a third (37%) of Which? members surveyed who had an unsolicited door knock said it was someone offering home improvement services.

Cash transactions are untraceable which makes the perpetrators harder to track down and bring to justice.

What is the advice to avoid scammers?

Which? advises consumers against buying from unsolicited doorstep sellers. This applies to anyone that calls by who isn’t expected, or who consumers haven’t made an appointment for, such as water or electric meter readings or gas engineers.

If there are any safety fears, police and Trading Standards advise calling 999. This also goes for particularly aggressive traders. It is banned practice for a trader to refuse to leave your property if you’ve asked, although this may be justified under some circumstances, such as to enforce a contractual obligation.

Consumers should also sign up to Which?’s scam alert service in order to familiarise themselves with some of the latest tactics used by fraudsters, particularly given the explosion of scams since the coronavirus crisis.

Adam French, Which? consumer rights expert, said: "It’s highly concerning that doorstep scammers are back in business and looking to exploit the pandemic in every way they can. We all need to be wary of anyone who knocks on our door unexpectedly.

"Adopting a blanket policy not to buy goods or services offered at the door is a sure-fire way to stop any would-be fraudsters in their tracks. However, if you do decide to purchase something at your door, you should ask the seller for their ID or call the company to verify their identity before making any payments.

"If you encounter a fraudster, you should report this to Action Fraud in England or call Policing Scotland on 101 in Scotland and if you have any safety fears, dial 999 immediately."