Cold callers
Say NO to anyone who turns up at your home uninvited.
Rogue builders and gardeners trick people into paying high prices for unnecessary or shoddy work.
Beware cold callers selling vitamin and herbal remedies. These callers often pretend to have contacted your doctor, and may ask about your health issues. If in doubt talk to your doctor or social worker.
- If unsure, don't answer the door. A genuine caller will make an appointment with you before turning up. Ask traders for their ID.
- Don't keep large sums of money at home.
- Don't buy goods or services at the door, even if a trader tells you work needs to be done urgently.
Call the police on 101 if callers won't leave.
Find a local trusted trader
Junk mail
Common scam letters are fake lotteries, prize draws, and clairvoyants. Look out for:
- Anyone asking for money up front - processing or handling fees are a con.
- Mailings which tell you that you're a winner, but you need to buy goods from them first. They're usually overpriced and you'll never win the big prize.
- A promise that you've won a prize for a competition or lottery you never entered.
- Letters which ask you to call them back to claim a prize. They may be promoting a premium rate number such as 090 or 070.
Register for free with the Mailing Preference Service (MPS) to have your name and address removed from mailing lists from UK companies.
Register with the Mailing Preference Service
Unexpected phone calls
Always check a caller is who they say they are. Fraudsters can pretend to be from the bank, and ask you to give them your details.
- Never tell anyone your PIN number or passwords - a real bank or the police will never ask for these.
- Beware of calling premium rate numbers such as 090 or 070 or international numbers, which start 00.
- If someone calls and tries to panic you into giving personal or bank details, just ask them to confirm it in writing and put the phone down.
Register for free with the Telephone Preference Service (TPS) to opt out of unsolicited sales or marketing calls from UK companies. Anyone offering to stop nuisance calls for a fee is a scammer, don't use them.
Register with the Telephone Preference Service