Positive Ageing Unwelcome Visitors

Strangers do sometimes appear on your doorstep – selling things, looking for someone, seeking help.

Sadly, they are not always genuine.

It’s sometimes difficult to get a salesperson to leave your home. If you ask them firmly to go they must do so. You are within your rights to telephone the police if they do not go.

Better still, don’t invite them to come inside. And if you don't know the caller at your door, do not feel obliged to open it.

Speak to the caller through the locked door to ascertain what they want.

Remember, thieves sometimes target houses where they think they’ll be able to take advantage of an older person. One technique to gain entry is to knock on your door and:

• Ask to use your telephone
• Ask to use the toilet
• Ask if a certain named person lives there
• Push their way in and take a look around.

Don’t let this kind of caller into your house.

If you are suspicious, call the police. Do not feel reluctant to phone 111.