Scams and doorstep crime

Scams and doorstep crime can include emails, phone calls and visits to your home.

How to reduce the chances of being scammed

You should:

  • be suspicious of unsolicited offers and things where you have to respond at once
  • avoid making expensive 090 premium rate phone calls – often used by swindlers to carry out scams
  • make sure you know who it is you are dealing with
  • protect your personal information – only share credit card details with a company you know and trust
  • read all the small print
  • never pay for a "free" gift
  • seek professional advice from an accountant or solicitor if necessary, particularly if large sums of money are involved

How to stop unsolicited telephone calls

You can register with the Telephone Preference Service by phone or online to stop receiving marketing or business calls that are unsolicited.

Register by phone

Registration number
Telephone: 0845 070 0707

Register online

Register online on the Telephone Preference Service website.

How to report a scam

There are a number of services that can give you advice on how you can protect yourself and others from becoming a victim of scammers.

Citizen Advice

Citizens Advice Consumer Service offers a telephone and online services where you can report a scam.

By phone

Citizens Advice Consumer Service
03454 04 05 06
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

Online

Find out how you can report a scam on the Citizen Advice website.

Action Fraud

You can report scams and fraud to Action Fraud, which is the UK's national reporting centre for fraud and internet crime.

Friends Against Scams

Friends Against Scams is a National Trading Standards Scams Team initiative which aims to protect and prevent people from becoming victims of scams by empowering people to take a stand against scams. It provides free online training and offers advice on how to raise awareness in your community. You can find their online training on their website.

Download advice

The little book of big scams is a comprehensive guide on fraud prevention produced by the Metropolitan Police.

A scams advice pack is available on request to Croydon residents.