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How to Keep Safe from Anonymous Callers

Your home should be a safe place. Most callers to your home will be people you know, but you need to be careful when people you don’t know call at your door.

When people you don’t know call at your door:​​

  • Keep your front and back doors locked.
  • Look to see who is at your front door, through the window or spy-hole.
  • Put a door chain on before opening the front door. If you don’t have one, ask the caller to pass their ID card through the letterbox. An ID or identity card is a card with the caller’s picture, name and the name of the company where the caller works.
  • Keep the chain on the door. Check the caller’s identity. Check that they are who they say they are.
  • The callers might say they have come to check your electricity, water or gas meters. The callers might say they are from the council.
  • Phone the company the caller works for. Find the number of the company in the phone book. Do not use the number on the ID card.
  • If you are not sure about the caller, ask them to make an appointment to come back when a friend or family member can be with you.
  • Do not sign any forms for services or give money to people you don’t know when they turn up on your doorstep.
  • Dial 999 and ask for the police if you feel afraid or threatened by people you don’t know.
  • If you are not sure, keep them out!
  • Do not give your name and phone number when you answer the phone.
  • Do not say you are alone.
  • If someone becomes abusive over the phone, say nothing and put the phone down.
  • If you keep getting abusive phone calls, tell the police.
  • If someone phones and tries to sell you things that you don’t want, say ‘No’ and put the phone down.

For further advice on doorstep callers, contact Trading Standards on 01429 523362.