Recognise and report doorstep crime and cold callers

If a rogue trader or doorstep criminal is on your property now, call the police on 999 straight away.

If you or someone you know needs assistance in dealing with a rogue trader

You can contact Trading Standards through the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133.

Due to the nature of these crimes we treat this work as a priority and work with partner agencies such as Cumbria Police to help raise awareness and tackle potential offenders.

How to recognise doorstep crime

Doorstep crime involves cold callers and rogue traders trying to sell goods or services. The traders involved prove difficult to trace and as a consequence consumers have difficulties obtaining recompense in respect of any defective work.  

Warning indicators of doorstep crime

Red light warning indicators for doorstep crime are:

• person or business cold calling at various properties touting for business
• no paperwork is given and there are no cancellation rights
• money is requested 'up front' before any work has been carried out
• trader does not complete the work and consumer cannot contact them

Rapid response

We operate a rapid response protocol as part of our strategy to combat doorstep crime and help support the consumers of Cumberland.

Whenever possible we will aim to attend incidents, usually in conjunction with the Police, where elderly and vulnerable members of the community have been approached by rogue traders.