Complaints about Cold Callers to Cheshire Police

Cheshire police and Trading Standards are advising residents not to purchase goods or services from cold callers knocking at the door.

Examples of the complaints from across the county received during November by Cheshire Police include:

Man offering to cut trees

Man 'claimed to be working with/on behalf of the police', trying to sell front doors

Man 'claimed to be approved by the police', trying to sell double glazing

Phone call offering 'a service to stop cold calls to land line', asking for bank details

Phone calls offering 'a service to get a Council Tax refund'

Man offering roofing work, driving a van. Rude when refused.

Man with a van offering mattresses for sale

'Young' men selling household products, reference to young offenders. Some complaints of aggressive language/rudeness. Police have checked some 'hawker paperwork/cards' ' none found to hold the appropriate Pedlars Certificate.

Numerous reports over recent weeks of phone calls claiming to be from Microsoft, asking for access to a home computer to fix a virus.

Cheshire police are asking residents to call if they 'feel concerned' about anyone behaving suspiciously, especially where a vulnerable neighbour may be involved. The 101 number can be used to report non-urgent information and the description of any vehicles or suspicious people. Vehicle descriptions and registration numbers are especially helpful.