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What is door-to-door fraud? Many legitimate businesses sell products door-to-door. For example, charities will often come to your door asking for donations. However, fraudsters may also knock on your door to trick you. This could be to get your money, or to get into your home to steal from you. Examples of door-to-door fraud There are several ways people can be tricked by door-to-door fraud. It’s important to know that if this has happened to you, it’s not your fault and that there’s support for you. Here are some examples of what might happen: Most door-to-door fraud involves selling goods or services that are either not delivered or are very poor quality. You won’t get value for money, and you may get billed for work you didn’t want or agree to.Some criminals conduct surveys just to get your personal details. They may also do it as a cover to sell you goods or services you don’t want or need, such as roofing work or a patio replacement.Dishonest employees sometimes act illegally, even when selling a genuine product by a genuine business.What is courier fraud? Courier fraud is when someone contacts you by phone impersonating trusted authorities such as police officers or bank officials. They may even do this in person. They do this to trick you into handing over cash or your bank cards to them, or to a courier. Sometimes they trick victims into purchasing and handing over other expensive items, such as jewellery. The courier may not know they’re being used as part of the crime. It’s important to know that if this has happened to you, it’s not your fault and that there’s support for you. Examples of courier fraud A criminal calls you saying there is a problem with your bank account and gets you to tell them your bank card PIN. They might say there’s a fraudulent payment on your card or that someone has been arrested using your details. They then tell you that a courier will pick up your bank card, so that it can be cancelled. With your card and PIN, they can now use your card.A criminal may convince you that there is an investigation where they need you to withdraw cash or buy expensive items. This could be foreign or crypto currency, gold bullion, jewellery, mobile phones or designer goods. They tell you this is required so that they can identify the corrupt person. The criminal may pose as a police officer. Once you’ve bought the items or withdrawn the cash, they’ll ask you to give it to a courier, or post it to an address, claiming they’ll transfer it to the police. They'll then take the money or goods.A fraudster may also say that your bank account has been taken over and that you need to transfer your money to a new 'safe' account. The new account is operated by the criminals, who then steal the funds.What you can do to stay safe Here are some tips to stay safe: If someone knocks at your front door claiming to be from a company, first check their ID. If you’re not happy, don’t let them in.Never call the phone number on a salesperson's ID card to check them out. Ask them to wait outside, shut the door and find the company number on the internet. If they’re genuine, they’ll understand.Banks and the police will never call you to verify your PIN. They won’t ask you to withdraw money or buy or send items on their behalf for investigations. Hang up if you get a call like this.Always verify suspicious calls by contacting the organisation using a trusted phone number. Calling 159 will put you through to your bank. If calling back from a landline after a suspicious call, wait a few minutes as criminals may stay on the line after you hang up. Alternatively, use a different phone line to call your bank.Never transfer money or make purchases on behalf of someone you don’t know.If it's an emergency, call the police on 999.Report suspicious activity to Report Fraud, the UK’s national cyber crime and fraud reporting service.Reporting door-to-door or courier fraud
If you have lost items or money due to someone pretending to be from a trusted organisation, you can make a police report using our online reporting tool. You should also contact your bank immediately.
You can also report cybercrime and fraud in the UK to Report Fraud: you can do this online by visiting the Report Fraud websiteyou can also call them on 0300 123 2040if you are deaf or hard of hearing you can use textphone 0300 123 2050If a crime is in progress or about to be committed, the suspect is known or can be easily identified, or the crime involves a vulnerable victim, contact the police directly by calling 999 in an emergency, 101 for non-emergencies or by visiting your local police station. If you have any information about a crime and would prefer to stay anonymous, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or contact them online.
The Metropolitan Police ‘Little Media series’ is a collection of 6 books and 22 videos, created to explain some of the most common types of fraud and to give advice on how to avoid becoming a victim of them.
The videos were created in three series: The Little Mini Animated GuidesLittle Animated GuidesBitesized GuidesAll of the videos are produced including subtitles and a British Sign Language Interpreter. The books are accessibility tested. See the Little Media series The information on courier fraud is on page 22-24 of The Little Book of Scams, which can be downloaded below. Anyone can be victim of fraud. Stop, think fraud. | 
