This is a message from Val McPherson Chair of Princes Risborough & District Neighbourhood Watch Association.

What is the law on door step cold calling?

Cold calling is the act of making uninvited visits to your home with the intention of selling goods or services. It is not illegal and does not require a licence.

However, the law states that a trader who ignores a resident's request to leave and not return commits a criminal offence under the provisions of The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024.

You can express your request not to receive visits from cold calling doorstep traders by taking part in our no cold calling sticker scheme.

I noted on Facebook that some people stated that the cold callers ignored the NW sign or No to Doorstep. This does happen sometimes especially if they are actual trades people like Utilities etc 

Trading Standards advocates putting these signs up as they work most of the time. All Coordinators and members in a NW scheme should have NW sticker and No to Doorstep sticker signs in their window or door where they can be seen.

Any trader that puts you under pressure by falsely implying that you have to make a decision there and then, or that the "special price" is only available for a limited period in order to make you sign up, is committing a criminal offence.

In addition, if you pay or agree to pay over £42 for any services or goods that are sold to you in your home, then:

This protection applies even when you invite a trader to your home.

Here is who to contact if you are dealing with a rogue trader:

Traders who sell goods door to door are required to have a Pedlar's Certificate issued by the Police, except for cold calls offering services like home maintenance work. Please note a Pedlar's Certificate is not a guarantee of legitimacy.

Our advice is to always say "No thank you – please leave" and then immediately close the door. If the trader will not go away, tell them that you will call Trading Standards.

 If you feel under real threat or in danger, you should contact the Police on 101 or if it is an emergency dial 999.

Utility companies

The most likely people to visit your home unannounced are utility companies attending your property to read a meter. Most of these companies operate a password scheme allowing you to register a password. Once you have registered your password, any caller from the company should be asked to provide the password before being given access to your property. You should be able to find the details for registering a password on your utility bills, or by calling their customer service teams.

Doorstep cold calling

Uninvited doorstep callers

These 'salespeople / traders' might show up unannounced and try to pressure you into getting work done on your house, like fixing your roof, driveway, gutters, or trees. They will l often claim they are just in the neighbourhood and can offer a super cheap price.

You may also encounter Nottingham Knockers / Duster sellers who claim to be part of a rehabilitation scheme and try to sell household cleaning products. Unfortunately, not only are they after selling you poor quality items at highly inflated prices they are also checking out suitable targets for details to be sold onwards to professional burglars.

Be aware:

These scams especially target older folks and people who might be easily pressured.

Remember:

Even if you already paid for bad work, there might be ways to get help. Report the scammer to the authorities so they cannot trick others.

Phone fraud and nuisance callers

Each year, many people fall victim to fraudsters, intent on stealing personal and financial information.

Scams take many different forms, but the most common is for fraudsters to cold call. The fraudsters sound convincing, professional and may claim to represent a business you know, for example your bank. They may pressure you to act quickly, either because they want to trick you into believing you will miss a golden opportunity to make money or that you will suffer some sort of loss.

Never give personal or financial information out to anyone who cold calls you on the telephone. Be cautious and if in doubt, hang up. In all cases, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Please keep safe.

Val