Bogus caller?

[MargaretR]

A tall well built black man with a shaved head buzzed the door entry system to my flat. I was in bed at the time so instead of going to the entry phone I opened my bedroom window (ground floor flat) and asked him what he wanted. He said he had come to read my gas meter. I advised him that the meter was OUTSIDE and told him where.

I have online access to my fuel account - waited a few days then looked - no meter reading has appeared on my account, I suspect he was up to no good - my meter reading is not due for another month and the legitimate meter readers have never needed to be told before.

I have reported it on the Crimestoppers website.

This happened in Clayton.

[maxthecollie]

Gas and Electricity meter readers know addresses where there are outside meter cabinets. I hope no one has been conned by this chap.

[Lucysgirl]

Coincidentally I had a black man knock on my door in Baxenden late last week. I don't know what he wanted because as soon as I saw the ribbon around his neck with his "identification" card handing from it I told him in no uncertain terms that I never bought or subscribed to charities at the door. Thank you. and quickly shut the door.

[Margaret Pilkington]

There have been a number of door knockers recently...but they have been promoting a replacement boiler scheme......why do they choose to arrive when I am up to my elbows in pastry...or suds...or worse.....am on the loo?

[maxthecollie]

I tell them I never buy anything from doorstep salesmen.

[Gremlin]

I installed a security camera which has a wi fi link to my router.
If someone knocks or rings the door bell I quickly look at the app on my phone which links to the camera.
If I don't recognise the caller I don't even bother going to the door.
A few months ago I saw either the jovos or Mormons about to push a leaflet through the letter box so I crept up to the door below the window level and held the flap shut.
I think they got the message.
The downside was that I had a struggle to get up again.

[Morecambe Ex Pat]

I work from home and my office overlooks the driveway, I cannot be seen from the drive so I just ignore them if I want. I take photos of the suspicious looking ones as we have quite a few elderly neighbours. I did think of installing a small LED matrix screen at the front door which could display an appropriate message at the touch of a button.
My favourite escapade to date was shouting down to an insistent sales type of person, who kept knocking, telling them that I had gone out.