Bogus door to door sellers !!!!

[Notcontent]

This is not really an AIBU.

Basically, I moved a few months ago and in my new street we frequently get young guys going door to door in the evening, selling over-priced junk, using fake ID. They claim to be part of a "prisoner release programme" and show ID to verify that, claiming that they are selling stuff to support themselves. I understand there is no such scheme. Tonight a guy banged on my door, claiming to be "from the homeless", once again with fake ID.
I am finding the whole thing annoying/upsetting as they can be mildly abusive if you don't buy anything. Also, my parents were here alone one evening and were sucked in by the whole thing.
Anyone else come across this?

Yeah. I just don't open the door.

But people have to walk past my living room window to knock on the door, so I usually have a good idea who it is.

We get that here too.
Never bought anything from them and argee they're often mildly abusive.

There was a thread on this before Xmas .....is it a scam?

I just don't open the door in the evening.

We get that here, but I never realised that the scheme doesn't exist.
I wished the guy well and said good luck but I don't buy at the door but my DP is a total sucker for this and will buy and sign up for pretty much anything!!
(so we have Jehovah's witnesses asking for him by name, a load of pencil drawings by a struggling polish artist and numerous new electric and phone agreements I've then had to cancel!!!)

I hope you reported it to your local police

If they get enough calls, they'll make sure they put a warning in the local paper.

We get that too... I got 'conned' by the first guy buying some scrap of cloth for £4 before I realised that anyone could make up those ID cards as they generally say nothing more than name, supposed 'charity' and no registered charity ID number. I resolved to say no the next time. The next time another young guy came round, I politely said no, his demeanour completely changed. He literally snarled at me and said 'Joker!' and stormed off. I felt really threatened by that as I am usually home alone with two young toddlers in the evening. I was really shocked by his behaviour and felt shaky about it even the day after (and I'm not usually like that!). Haven't got more since but we've only been in our place 6 months...

Just tonight I've bought tea towels to help the homeless or something. The guy showed me his ID though I didn't really look at it. How can I check whether or not it is fake?

It's not a recognised scheme . It is usually a bloke in a minibus coordinating the group.They do not have pedlars certificates and every one I have spoken to has preconvictions for burglary/ car crime,etc without exception. Don't let them anywhere near your property.

Report it to the police - if not for yourself for the old and vulnerable.
Also in some areas you can get police stickers saying no cold calling to put on front door - they are not huge just go near doorbell or doorhandle.

I was actually going to report it to the policy because the guy tonight gave me a bit of a fright (I am unwell at the moment so a but delicate!!!). But then I thought maybe the police would not take me seriously... Hmmm, may give them a call tomorrow.

They will take you seriously...honestly.

If you Google, you'll see lots of different Police Forces telling people not to fall for this scam.

As basic said, please do it for the vulnerable people.

Will do. Feel a bit daft now. I always buy from them

Look up " Nottingham knockers "

scurry The OP may have to clear her history after that!

Thanks scurry! If anyone else is interested, here is some info:

www.essex.police.uk/news_features/other_stories/warning_over_nottingham_knock.aspx?lang=en-gb

Yes- be careful what you google!