Hi Resident

As online shopping and home deliveries are being done more than ever, don't be quick to trust everyone knocking at your door wearing a hi vis vest claiming to be delivering or selling you anything!

Just some advice, especially to anyone you may know who are elderly, vulnerable or have fallen victim to any door to door sales people scams - 

When you have a parcel coming, you will usually get an email to confirm a date and time that the delivery person will knock on,

Be careful when you get a sales person knocking on claiming they have come out of prison and are looking to turn their lives around selling household items! While it may sounds reliable, it could be a scam where they target certain areas to make money off those who may not know any better. If you do, ask to see ID as they may not be part of any recognised scheme that do this.

Be careful when anyone knocking on your door selling or delivering things ask for any up front payment,

Don't open the door to just anyone and everyone if you're not comfortable, rather speak with them through a video doorbell or through an open window,

Invest in a window sill camera or video doorbell that way you can see who is at the door before you open it,

Or if you know you don't have anyone coming to visit you that day, don't answer the door!

These people will target the elderly in particular so please look out for your neighbours. You can get stickers for your doors and windows that stop cold callers from knocking on.

With that being said, it doesn't mean to live in fear and that everyone is a dodgy sales person, it's more being aware of what is going on in your area!

If you do experience something similar to this, report it to the police! If you need to report an emergency to the police, please contact the control room on 999. For non-emergencies, please call on 101 or report online via the Lancashire Constabulary website. 

Thank you, 

PCSO 7043 Naz