Check ID of callers

[johncar54]

I was just watching a prog on TV which warned people about fake callers scamming them.

The presenter said, always make sure that you check a person's ID.

That is of course great advice ............ ...... providing you know what a genuine ID looks like !!

When I was a police officer in London, a warrant card, used to be a fold over card, On the outside in gold letter was POLICE WARRANT CARD. When we called on people we would say, police and show the outside of the card, I cannot remember anyone asking me to look in side the fold over card. It was the info on the inside, which proved who we were, but it was difficult to read so just showing the outside was much quicker.

Often I would point out to people that they had let me into their house without seeing any real ID and I would ask them to look carefully at the inside of my warrant card so that in future they might be able, if they remembered, to know what the genuine article looked like.

So my advice is, never accept any ID unless you know it is genuine. If in doubt do not allow anyone into your home. Of course sometimes you could call a number, which you already know, or found in the directory, not supplied by the caller, to check that the caller is who they say they are.

[Dedworth]

Good advice. I'd also suggest if your local Police Force / Council do them a sticker for your front door - we've got 2

"Doorstoppers -We do not buy or sell at this door" and "Door to Door Sales (no entry sign) Please do not ring"

It won't stop illiterrate Pikeys or thick skinned morons but I believe they help. Most of the time we don't bother opening the door.

I think these distraction/deception type crimes are abhorrent particularly when it involves the elderly & vulnerable - minimum sentence for these scumbags should be something like 8 years

[Englishman2010]

. Most of the time we don't bother opening the door.

I'm like that too, unless I've invited you round or you have a pre-arranged appointment with me, don't bother knocking because I won't answer I've also unplugged my home phone so that I don't have to listen to any direct sales calls when I get home from work. If anyone wants me they have to ring my mobile, and if I don't like the look of the number (or it's my mum) I won't answer it

I'm that bad that last year when my kids went out trick or treating with their mum, they were knocking on my front door for about ten minutes. As usual I didn't answer it. Their mum had to call me on her mobile to ask me to open the door

[Dedworth]

What I do with phone cold callers (both business and personal) is tell them that the business is in receivership and that I'm bankrupt - soon gets rid of them when they realise there's no money available.

[Englishman2010]

Nice one

On the rare occasion that I have made the mistake of answering the door to a Kitchen, Double Glazing or UPVC Fascia board salesman I've told them that I only rent my house and I'm coming to the end of my tenancy, that soon gets rid of them too

[Dedworth]

I've done exactly the same and of course a quick glimpse of the NPower energy salesmans badge prompts you to tell them you switched everything over to Eon last week

[grahamw48]

Need any advice ?

Ask me.

I was in direct sales for over 20 years.

.

[les_taxi]

I have the afore -mentioned stickers on door it works fairly well
I get more annoying phone calls but answer a question with a question it really pisses them off
When they say can we confirm your details I say sure after I have confirmed yours and ask them name,mothers maiden name and date of birth.
That seems to do the trick they don't know what to say and end up hanging up

[johncar54]

When I get an unwanted caller at the door or on the phone, I just say, 'No thanks, I am not interested' and close the door or hang up. It works very well.

The people concerned are usually trying to make a living so I do not see any reason to be rude or difficult.

[les_taxi]

They are a bloody nuisance John!
I have customers in taxi and these idiots are ringing my phone,I did not give them my number and never asked them to call me.
Shall I start banging on peoples doors while their having their dinner and ask them if they want a Taxi?
They should not do it and it's annoying for people who don't want their services (usually spurious accident claims)

[johncar54]

Its annoying for me too, but I don't let it get to me. Life is far too short.

[les_taxi]

It does not get to me with my new tactics-if they want to play i will happily play them at their own game

[johncar54]

Shall I start banging on peoples doors while their having their dinner and ask them if they want a Taxi?

I thought it did !!!!!

[les_taxi]

Oh dear John your not moving with the times never heard of 'Callback'?

[johncar54]

Les, since I retired when I was 48, I have lived in relaxing Spain

[les_taxi]

We don't knock on peoples doors any more,as my car approaches the customers house my data-box automatically sends a message to the customers phone which tells them I'm outside

[Win2Win]

I never believe anyone who shows me a card as it could be one of those Dr Who ones

[Dedworth]

We don't knock on peoples doors any more,as my car approaches the customers house my data-box automatically sends a message to the customers phone which tells them I'm outside

That's clever

[grahamw48]

So I guess this is a bad time to ask if any of you are interested in new windows then ?

[les_taxi]

Don't be a 'pane' Graham

[RickyR]

Unfortunately it seems elderly people get bombarded into buying things they dont need so easily. I was at my Mums house in the UK a few weeks back and someone (from India) called up saying he needed to update his records, and could I tell him what television I had. I spent about half an hour on the phone with him trying to determine exactly who he was and who he worked for, because initially all I got was something like CCI. which mean't nothing to me. He seemed to get quite annoyed 'Sir, you only have to tell me your television make and model, i'm not selling you anything' getting more and more shirty. He didn't understand why I might not want to give this information and why it was concerning me that someone would call me asking for it.

[grahamw48]

My own mother was ripped off by some toe-rag 'gardeners/tarmac layers' who've since been arrested. Their trail of criminal cons was publicised on TV.

As a family, we were incensed....especially her Son-in-law and Grandson who are both police officers in the area.

My mother is an intelligent and independent 85 year-old, and didn't say anything at first because she, like a lot of people from her generation is trusting, but also proud.