For being terrified after visit from Nottingham Knockers?

OP, the link you posted yourself says it's those people who hand over cash who are at risk. You didn't, so can't see there is a problem? I've had these people around once or twice - sent them on their way and didn't give it another thought. Getting a Ring doorbell set up might make you feel better?

We’ve had this sort of cold caller several times over the years. Each time I’ve politely declined their offer to buy (overpriced) random stuff, they’ve said ok, and moved onto the next house. I’ve never heard of any burglaries happening in my area immediately after these visitors.

If this was someone casing houses - rather than simply a conman trying to fleece the gullible - then you’ve surely given them no reason to return later?
Your house isn’t deserted, you’re not a frail pensioner, or someone who’d produced a purse bulging with bank notes. Most people don’t have all their most valuable possessions stacked up in the hall there for anyone at the front door to spy over their shoulders.

A ring doorbell or similar might be a good idea for reassurance, but I really don’t think there’s much to worry about here.

I get this. I used to live in a rough neighbourhood and the fear when you suspect something is up, the waiting, feeling like a sitting duck...it's horrible. But let me reassure you, 99% of the time it's all in your head (as someone who has been there). Also, I should say when I lived in a rough place we did actually have 4 break in attempts while we were home (it was the pandemic) and we scared them off every time... even if they do break in it's not the end of the world!

How is it a scam? They offer to sell cleaning products, yes they may be at a mark up but same if you buy things in a convenience store. I once bought a feather duster from them, my choice to pay a few quid more.

Op reassure yourself that burglary is getting rarer, mainly because most household electronics are not worth that much as TvS etc have gradually got cheaper. Burglaries appear to be getting more targeted, so if they know through intelligence or networks that someone is likely to have a lot of gold at home.

I agree. Even if they think you’re overreacting, there’s no need for them to be so nasty about it.

Most of them obviously haven’t read the article you linked to where the police explain this scam, and how it can lead to a later burglary or other scams if your address is sold on to other scammers.

www.thamehub.co.uk/thames-valley-police-issue-nottingham-knocker-advice/

You didn’t give this man any money so you’re probably safe from any further consequences. But I can understand how you might have felt unsettled by this, and worried because you’re about to go away and leave your new home.

Some of us do get worried and anxious about things like this - I would have been. It’s odd and unnerving. It’s not kind for people to mock you and tell you you’re being ridiculous for feeling like this.

It really doesn’t help a person who is anxious to pour scorn on our fears, or make fun of us, it just makes us feel worse. Either reassure us there’s probably nothing to worry about in this case, or say nothing.

I hope you’re able to put your worries aside (because you didn’t give him any money), and can enjoy your Christmas away, and then come back and enjoy your new home.

The link you posted was about householders handing over money and then that being used to assess the viability of that house as a target for revisiting for burglary purposes. You did not hand over money. So no harm. Please rest easy. (And put the unkinder posts away from your mind)

This would've made me uncomfortable, too. I'm around your age OP. I'm sure I've seen threads on here before in AIBU about them sometimes being linked to burglaries and being scammers so to be careful with them. I don't know who or what makes someone particularly vulnerable in their eyes, age aside. I don't know how unpleasant they'll be if I say no.

To echo a previous poster, no one is allowed to minimise your feelings. They rattled you. Use this as your prompt to sort your security system. Sorry you have had some vicious replies. Even by AIBU standards a couple of people have stuck the boot in.

If you read the article the OP linked to, it explains how this scam can lead to a later burglary. Depending on how the interaction goes, the scammer can get information that leads to a targeted burglary.

“The price for whatever has been purchased usually comes to a note – usually £10. The householder disappears to get this – this is when the scam begins, according to the police. When the note is handed over, the lad examines the condition and how long it took the person to get it. If it is crumpled, they accept it and move on. If it is crisp flat and new – they are much more interested and may engage the person in more conversation, to obtain details about them. As they leave they will smell the note. If it is slightly musty – this is an indication that there is more in the property. Those addresses are noted. The addresses of elderly/vulnerable/gullible people are all noted.

These are handed to the employer and there is a small amount of cash handed over for each one. These addresses are then sold on. If there is a later break-in, the employer expects a further cut of the proceeds. These lists are purchased by all sorts of people including – tarmacers, tree workers, roofers, dodgy builders etc., and can be shared quite easily. Once on a list, your address could be sold on and on. Hence the repeat nature of these persistent callers.“

https://www.thamehub.co.uk/thames-valley-police-issue-nottingham-knocker-advice/

You seem a bit hysterical OP. This happens every so often where we live. Chancers, just declined and moved on with your life. I think you've watched too much 'Home Alone' this Yuletide.

I once bought a set of tea towels from an ex con on the doorstep.
They have lasted years and been brilliant!
That’s the only time we’ve ever had them round though.

Now, the french onion man I really DO miss. They stopped coming during covid and didn’t restart, which is a massive shame as the onions were superb and lasted all winter.

The link which has now been posted three times is not from the police and appears to be absolute nonsense:

> When the note is handed over, the lad examines the condition and how long it took the person to get it. If it is crumpled, they accept it and move on. If it is crisp flat and new – they are much more interested and may engage the person in more conversation, to obtain details about them. As they leave they will smell the note. If it is slightly musty – this is an indication that there is more in the property.

The scam is that they sell you something overpriced. That's the whole scam. They literally got your money, why would they combine this with burglary? If they were going to burgle you, there are much better ways of checking your home out without arousing suspicion. They're not smelling ten pound notes to divine if you have a whole stack under your mattress.

How does it help the OP to tell her she seems “a bit hysterical”?

I think it’s unkind and unnecessary.

To go against the grain a bit, I answered the door to one and he was acting strange, looking over and past me, like there was someone behind me. There was only me in the house. I declined and he left. Two or three days later we were burgled. Coincidence? Maybe. But I'm absolutely convinced that they were checking out house.

In these increasingly cashless days, I'm surprised the condition of a note could be taken as a guide to the pickings in a house. From many people, you'd probably be getting an 'emergency tenner' that was stashed somewhere.

Did you use a door chain to open the door?

Urgh, I’ll never forget our version where I live. I was coming in from the car and when I said I wasn’t interested thanks, he blocked the way so I couldn’t get to the house. It felt like forever, but was probably only a few minutes, before he finally left after telling me I should do a good deed and to help him out and me kept saying ‘please leave.’

We logged it with 101, and ordered some no cold caller stickers for next to the door. We still get the odd cold caller now, but never these guys. It’s usually Jehovahs witnesses who say ‘that obviously doesn’t include us’ to which I of course say ‘you’re top of the list.’ And shut the door.

How?
Don't be terrified. We've had them a few times, they have given up now. No-one has been broken into.

Does anyone have any advice / reassurance? We are young, in our 30s,

You're really not that young if you're in your thirties. You're grown adults who should know how to secure a house if you're away, get some cheap timers for side lamps to make it look like the house is occupied and not be terrified every time someone you're not expecting knocks on your door.

We used to get these lads all the time years ago. I never bought anything and was never burgled.

They're round a few times here. Generally from Teesside. I always buy some over priced tea towels. Last time it was freezing and damp so I filled his coffee flask and gave him an old scarf. Might be an over priced rip off but I'm a sucker for a sob story.

Get the ring doorbell set up to put your mind at rest - they are very useful and I no longer worry when we are away.
Timer switches on lamps are good too so your house won’t be in darkness in the evening - some can be controlled by an app do you can operate remotely to mix up the times the lights go on.

the link is useful, I’d not realised or thought of that, that’s really dark and whilst @thesecondmrsdewinter20 has no reason to be terrified as you didn’t buy and don’t appear vulnerable or have loads of cash around it’s right to report to 101. We have them around every so often, and often wondered what the point of it was for them. My dippy DP spent £25 on some j cloths etc as he felt sorry for a lad ages ago and we’ve not had any follow up. Last time I was WFH and just opened window and told him no thanks.

Had them twice this year. Weird that they didn't try the neighbours with ring cameras either time.

Get a ring doorbell, or a security gate. I've got a security gate, it gives me a lot of peace of mind. I don't generally open the door though if I'm not expecting someone, it's always chuggers or Jehovahs witnesses.

I've had the Nottingham knockers a few times. The last time, he gave me the comforting words 'Don't worry, I'm not going to stab you' as I opened the door. I don't think they are very linked with burglaries though.

I’ve had the same in both Yorkshire and London. Going back many years. Never been burgled. Rest easy by I completely understand why this has shaken you. I still hate people coming to the door unexpectedly.

I don't think there's any harm in phoning 101. They may be able to tell you if there's been any problems in the area with either burglaries or aggressive door selling (not sure if he was aggressive?!)

The chances are it will be nothing and nothing will happen. Have you got someone who can turn lights on and off in your house etc fit the few days you're away to make it look like someone is there and give you some reassurance. A Ring doorbell may be useful but I think it's important to maintain some perspective so as not to drive yourself mad.