Aggressive Door to Door Fake Charity Seller Post Reply

[Coffeegirl]

Just a friendly warning to all.

Last night, a man knocked on my door selling cleaning materials claiming to be supporting a local hostel which was in danger of closing down.
When I said that I don't buy on the doorstep, he got very aggressive, started shouting and then kicking and banging on the door, before eventually leaving.

We have previously had a group of guys coming around who also sell cleaning things but they are usually very friendly and I do believe that they genuinely work for a homeless charity. You can usually see groups of them working the street at the same time.

This guy was totally different. He was about 6 ft, mixed race, close cropped hair, hooded, navy, puffer jacket, generally quite attractive and well kept.

With Christmas coming up, I expect this sort of thing will be on the increase, usually started by the Fake Bin men looking for tips.

Please be careful. I am so thankful that I had the door chain on.

[CitySlicker]

I think the same youths called to my door last week (between the commons)(though these two seemed to be black rather than mixed race). I was watching TV in the basement and didn't hear them initially. However, I then heard some commotion outside and turned down the TV and realised the banging was coming from my own front door with these youths looking though the letter box saying "We know you're in there" (the lights were on in the house). I was quite scared actually and they were walking in the middle of the road, leaning on cars and going back to houses if they saw someone looking out etc. I called my husband who told me to call the police; in the end I didn't, fearing reprisals, but it was not a pleasant experience.

[TraceyR]

Thanks for the warning. I had a similar experience, down in Tooting, some years ago - very unsettling! I didn't have the door chain on & felt very vulnerable. Just recently I also had a young man at the door, but thankfully he just stormed off after a big sigh & throwing his hands up at my rejection.

I would definitely recommend calling the police - what they're doing, if you have already asked them to leave, is technically illegal! And if you're worried about reprisals, perhaps say to the police that you don't want to be identified (in public) as you're scared of the consequences, but could they just come along and be a deterrent & move the guys on?

On Streetlife (another local forum I'm a member of) this post with some printable signs might be useful to readers... http://www.streetlife.com/conversation/ ... 9b9000016/ - you can read it without being logged in.

[zaza107]

I've had similar experiences (more than a few times, over the past year or so) where the "seller" was very aggressive, put his hand on the door, etc. when I said I wasn't interested. It's usually around 6pm or so and so I've got a small child running around and it's fairly clear that it's not the best time, anyway. The people who do this tend to act as if I am personally offending them by saying no thank you. It's gotten a bit frightening and I do worry about reprisals, as well.

[ally30_1998]

Yes we have experienced this kind of thing in recent weeks as well. In our case, it was about 7pm and my partner went to the door. A chap claiming to be ex con trying to get back on his feet. When my partner said he wasn't interested the guy spat on the door and got quite verbal. A real charmer...

Unfortunately this kind of thing is likely to get worse around here - a symptom of the recession maybe...

Just have your wits about you. Xmas is coming so all the nicking to order starts occurring....

[jo jo]

we had the same in the southfields area with a girl!

[ekf]

We've recently had no cold calling zone signs put up in our street and information packs delivered by the council. The pack included a pad encouraging us to write down as many details as you can from uninvited callers. Name of company if given, description of person, etc. then to call the council on 020 8871 0803 and report it.

[Writerlady]

This may sound grumpy but we have so many annoying people at the door, and yes, I have been 'had' by the fish people, the agressive sellers, the 'I'm blind and just trying to get by' stories as well as the fake dustmen last Christmas. We even had the 'we live just up the road and my daughter is terminally ill and has just had a funny turn and I have to get her to hospital and have no cash for a taxi' one. Now I have found life sooo much easier to just never answer the door unless I am expecting someone, or a delivery, or I can see it's the postman. Even if they can see I am there, don't care. Just can't be doing with the hassle.

[Souza]

This is worrying. In all the examples given - if the cold-caller threatens you directly or indirectly [eg. swearing, shouting, stopping you closing the front door etc] - keep a mental note of his/her description and call /email your local Police safer neighborhood team.

In fact if you feel the caller has been aggressive - call '999' and the Police will apprehend the suspect while he's still in the neighbourhood.

Comebacks are very unlikely - as your call to the local SNT would hopefully result in more uniformed/plain clothed patrols in the area - and if arrests were subsequently made - the thugs would never know who called the Police.

Please don't let the thugs rule by inducing fear in our neighbourhood.

[kcai]

Just had one of these "ex-cons" knock on the door. I told him I only had a small handful of change on me and could I just make a donation of 50p. After telling me I could write a cheque he grumpily pocketed it and stomped off without a thank you....

Think this will be the last time I even bother to give them the time of day.

[Jen66]

we have had door to door Romanian beggars a couple of times.

Our road is in a 'no cold call' area but none of the sellers take any bloody notice of the signs