I fell for a doorstep selling scam

This scammer tugged at my heartstrings and took my money.

I don’t fall victim to scams. It’s a point of pride. As a finance journalist, I spend my life writing about rip-offs and misleading offers, and I’m usually quite cynical as a result.

However, last month I fell victim to an incredibly stupid scam. And the reason I was taken in so easily was that the seller tugged at my heartstrings until my wallet just fell open.

It was a cold, dark evening and a young man knocked on my door, dragging a heavy bag of merchandise. Normally I’d say ‘no thanks’ to a doorstep seller, but this one immediately presented me with an official-looking laminated card that appeared to be stamped by the Job Centre.

He explained that he was on a Government scheme to prove he could work and that he had to make sales to keep his benefits. “Oh that’s terrible,” I exclaimed, my heart bleeding all over the conversation. “And it’s such a cold night to be lugging stuff around trying to make sales!”

The lad shrugged and bravely said that he knew the cuts had to come but it certainly was hard. Supressing an urge to offer him a hot drink, I looked through his bag of merchandise.

Looking back, I remember being slightly surprised that an official scheme was selling such shoddy stuff. I bought the cheapest thing in his bag – a weird kitchen tool that can apparently turn normal carrots into floral masterpieces. I paid £10 but a quick search online afterwards showed that these things normally sell for £3 (including postage!).

This polite, stoic ‘jobseeker’ had actually ripped me off.

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Why did I fall for it?

Before you start berating me for my stupidity, it’s worth considering why I fell for such a stupid selling scam.

First of all, it had the ring of truth. I know there have been swingeing cuts, I know there have been work programmes for the unemployed and I know that young people in the north are particularly badly affected.

Secondly, the man produced a very official-looking document and invited me to ring the mobile number on it to confirm he was who he said he was. Obviously that would have simply been answered by another crook, but it just added to the authenticity.

Finally, he played on my compassion. I am worried about young, unemployed people in a time of high unemployment and benefit cuts, so I didn’t look as closely at the situation as I should have.

Con artists use truth, bluff and human nature to work a variety of different scams on the doorstep, phone and by internet.

A national scam

This scam is actually a nationwide problem. While my scammer claimed to be on a workfare project, it’s more common for these sellers to claim they are part of a probation rehabilitation scheme.

Some even claim that if they don’t make enough sales, they will be thrown back into prison for not meeting the terms of their parole. That’s the kind of story that would have had my granny emptying her bank account to buy their dusters.

Criminal justice boards across the country have warned that there has been a surge of con artists claiming that they are selling as part of a probation or prison service rehabilitation scheme.

Many have issued statements warning that there are no official schemes that require people to carry out this kind of ‘work’. There have also been warnings that the items being sold are usually overpriced and of low quality.

Some online forums claim these are genuine schemes, or that some of them are for real. However, North Yorkshire Police states: “No Probation Trust in the country operates a scheme where ex-offenders sell door-to-door.”

The police force warned that some of these scammers are also using distraction techniques to rob elderly and vulnerable householders – such as requesting a glass of water and snatching their purses.

If you’re approached and you’re worried, you can call the police on the non-emergency 101 number (obviously call 999 if you feel threatened or at risk). You can also alert Trading Standards.

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Is it that bad really?

I was quite surprised to find a number of online forums where people asked why ex-offenders or the unemployed shouldn’t sell cleaning and kitchen kit door-to-door.

They said that everyone deserves a chance to turn their life around and that we shouldn’t judge these sellers for trying to flog tea towels. After all, it’s hardly a get-rich-quick scheme, even if it’s not totally honest.

I agree that ex-offenders should be able to earn a legitimate income, but this isn’t a legitimate income. Because of the untrue story, I bought a gadget I didn’t need for more than three times its actual retail value. If that’s not theft, then it’s something very like it.

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Is it even legal?

As long as the seller is honest, doorstep selling is not illegal. If you buy anything on your doorstep then you are still covered by normal consumer protection laws, meaning the goods must be fit for purpose, as described and of satisfactory quality.

You also get extra protection under the Doorstep Selling Regulations. If a trader simply turns up on your doorstep and offers to sell you goods or services, you have seven days in which you can change your mind and cancel the contract (that may not be true if you invited them to your home or if the work has already started).

Trading Standards urges householders to be wary of traders who are not prepared to leave paperwork, won’t provide a business address, refuse to hand over an identification card for close examination or invite you to call a mobile telephone number to check their identity.

It’s also a good idea to keep a trader outside while you confirm their identity, so you don’t fall victim to an opportunist thief.

Of course, not all doorstep sellers are scammers; most are just trying to make an honest living. But as I found out to my cost, some will tell whatever story works to make a sale.

Have you ever fallen for a similar scam? Should any kind of doorstep selling be allowed, even when it’s legitimate? Have your say in the comments below.

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