What Are Doorstep Scams and How to Protect Against Them

Doorstep scams, also known as door-to-door scams, involve fraudsters coming to your door to steal your money or gain access to your home. These scams can take many forms, with scammers posing as government officials, salesmen, charity collectors, or utility officials.

Don’t be fooled by their polite demeanor; scammers want you to let down your guard to provide them with sensitive information or direct access to the valuables in your household.

Did you know?

Doorstep scams cost victims in the UK £18.7 million in 2020. However, the UK's national reporting center for fraud and cybercrime believes financial losses are much higher, with many victims
According to a 2024 Age UK report, 2.8 million adults in the UK aged over 50 are fearful about opening their front door because of scams. Additionally, figures from Trading Standards show that 85% of doorstep scam victims are seniors aged 65 or older.

Common Types of Doorstep Scams

Home Repair Scams

In these scams, fraudsters usually pose as contractors offering roofing, driveway resurfacing, or gutter cleaning services, and demand upfront payment. They often perform substandard work or disappear with your money.

Fake Policeman and Bank Staff

Fraudsters arrive at your doorstep and claim they are from the police or your bank and want to verify your personal information or ask you to provide your PIN or take a look at your credit cards.

Utility Worker Scams

Scammers claim to be from a local utility company, stating they need to inspect your property for issues like gas leaks or electrical faults. Once inside, they may steal valuables or proceed to gather information that can be used to conduct identity crimes.

Read more about utility scams here: Top 9 Utility Scams: Tips to Recognize and Avoid Them

FTC Warns of Utility Barcode Payment Scams. Here’s How You Can Stay Safe

Charity Scams

These involve scammers posing as representatives of charitable organizations, soliciting donations for causes that don’t exist. They often use emotional appeals to pressure you into giving money immediately.

Security System Scams

Scammers claim to represent a security company, suggesting that your home needs urgent security upgrades, and use fear tactics to push you into purchasing overpriced equipment.

Unexpected Deliveries

This scam involves scammers tricking victims into believing they’ve received a package. Victims might be convinced to make bogus payments or let scammers enter their homes.

Read more about unsolicited deliveries in: Brushing scams: What to do if you receive ‘free’ goods in the mail without ordering them

Magazine Subscription Scams

Fraudsters come to your door and offer discounted magazine subscriptions. They might also claim that your purchase will support a charity or local cause. What happens after payment? The magazines never arrive, or you might get signed up for a recurring and expensive subscription.

Survey or Census Scams

In this type of scam, fraudsters pose as survey takers or census workers to gather personal information. They knock at your door claiming to be taking surveys for an election, or a wellness check, and ask for sensitive details like Social Security Numbers, which can be used for identity theft.

Common Tactics Fraudsters Use in Doorstep Scams

High-Pressure Sales: Scammers insist you decide on the spot to take advantage of a limited-time offer or to avoid a supposed emergency.
Too Good to Be True Offers: Fraudsters offer services or products at very low prices. Be wary of salesmen or service providers who might say something in the lines of:

- “We’re working around the corner and noticed some loose tiles on your roof.”

- “It’s a special price if you agree today.”

- “I’ve just finished a job for your neighbor.”

Professional Appearance: Scammers may wear uniforms, carry fake IDs, or use official-looking paperwork.
Emotional Appeals: Fraudsters exploit your emotions, using stories of tragedy or urgent need to coerce you into donating money.
Unsolicited Visits: Scammers usually appear at your door without any prior contact, catching you off guard and unprepared.

How to Protect Against Doorstep Scams

The best way to protect against door-to-door scams is to know the warning signs and know that it’s OK to say no or to ask a stranger to leave your front door.

Stick to these practices to stay safe:

1. Never let strangers into your home. You can say no to any offer, charity request, or service provider who knocks at your door.

2. Verify credentials: Always ask for identification and verify it independently by contacting the company or organization the person claims to represent.

3. Never provide sensitive information: It doesn’t matter if the individuals who knocks at your door says they’re from your bank or the police. Legitimate government officials or bank agents never ask you to give out your SSN or credit card information via “house calls”.

4. Never pay up front: Reputable contractors and service providers don’t need large upfront payments to begin work.

5. Request written documents: Always ask for detailed written estimates, contracts, and other guarantees in writing before agreeing to a purchase or accepting services.

6. Take your time: You shouldn’t feel pressured into making quick decisions. A legitimate business will give you time to consider your options and won’t pressure you into providing any sensitive information or making a payment.

7. Be skeptical of too-good-to-be-true offers: If an offer seems too good to be true, it’s probably a scam. Research and compare prices before agreeing to any deal, especially one provided by strangers who knock at your door.

8. Always report suspicious activity: If you suspect a doorstep scam, report it to local law enforcement or your state’s consumer protection office to help others in your community stay safe.

9. Use scam-detection tools: Specialized services like Bitdefender’s Scamio can help you quickly detect scam attempts. It can analyze any tricky text, social media message, URL, email, image, or even QR code and detect whether it’s a scam. It can also detect scams from described scenarios; describe a situation and Scamio will provide you with an assessment regarding its perceived legitimacy. Scamio is free and available on Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp and your web browser. You can also help others stay safe by sharing Scamio with them in France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Romania, Australia and the UK.

FAQs

How do door-to-door or doorstep scams work?

Door-to-door scams involve fraudsters posing as salesmen, government official, contractors, or charity workers who show up unannounced. They use persuasive tactics to gain your trust, such as offering fake services, demanding immediate payment, or reciting high-pressure sales spiels. They disappear once you give them your money or personal information.

How do I protect myself from door-to-door scams?

· Verify credentials: Always ask for identification and verify it independently.

· Avoid upfront payment: Don’t pay for services in cash up front.

· Don’t give personally identifiable information (PII): Never provide your SSN, credit card numbers, PINs, or any other sensitive data.

· Request written contracts: Get everything in writing, including terms and conditions for the provided service or offer.

· Take your time: Don’t feel rushed into deciding on the spot.

How do I report a doorstep scammer?

If you’ve fallen victim to a scam or suspect that someone who knocked at your door is a scammer, immediately report it to your local police department by providing as much detailed information as possible. Also file a report with the FTC if you live in the US, Action Fraud for the UK and ScamWatch for Australia.