Fake Charity Doorknocker Kambah

Had one of these a while back – he was obviously a fake (no i.d. and generally shifty). I jotted down a detailed description and called it in to Crimestoppers. These people are bound to commit a crime in the near future. Another popular variant is asking if X lives here, working their way along the street. I have called a couple of them in to CS as well.

I had an extremely similar experience a few years back in Braddon, particularly with the peering into the house, and my flat (and several others) was rolled a few days later. I’d let your neighbours know (assuming they all dont read RiotAct) to be on the lookout.

Henry82 said :

I’ve been an unpaid volunteer doing door to door collections for the red cross. I would say no (and be a bit offended) if you said that to me. Having said that, i had a red cross id card and a receipt book.

Agreed, I did say that any legitimate door-knocker would think you were a fruit-loop…

enrique said :

When you get back to the door, show them the cash and then ask them if you can take their photo?.

I’ve been an unpaid volunteer doing door to door collections for the red cross. I would say no (and be a bit offended) if you said that to me. Having said that, i had a red cross id card and a receipt book.

Stevian said :

Surely the simplest thing is to ask for I.D.and credentials. You’re needlessly complicating matters.

True, it’s pretty complicated. But at least you’d have something to give to the authorities if necessary.

A photo would be more likely to assist with investigations and could end up stopping the nefarious activity from that particular individual wouldn’t it?

obrijo said :

Watch out for him coming back. Our local burglars knock on the door to see if we are home.
1. If we are, they claim to have lost a dog and ask if they can look around our yard for it.
2, This allows them to look through windows for laptops etc.
3. They come back later and knock and, if no answer, break in.

Answer to 1. “Sorry, if your dog wandered into our backyard, he will most certainly have been eaten by our dog/croc/hippo by now.”

Stevian said :

enrique said :

Here’s another response that could be useful…

Next time someone knocks on your door that you suspect is dodgy, i.e. they are asking for donations but you’re not too sure if it is legit, just lock the screen door and say “yes, hang on a minute and I’ll go grab my wallet”. Then quickly go and grab your nearest camera/phone-camera and a few coins. When you get back to the door, show them the cash and then ask them if you can take their photo?

If they are legit, they’ll probably think you’re a fruit-loop, but big-deal. Just tell them you sometimes get weirdos knocking on your door and you’re just being a bit cautious.

If they are dodgy, they’ll either pi$$-bolt or get angry and try to stop you (at which point it’s good the door is locked). If you don’t manage to get a photo, you will have pretty-much confirmed on the spot that they are dodgy by calling their bluff. If you do get a photo, you’ve got something useful if later it turns out after enquiring that they were in-fact lying through their teeth.

Surely the simplest thing is to ask for I.D.and credentials. You’re needlessly complicating matters.

Yep did ask for I.D and credentials thats where he came unstuck!! Don’t want vunerable people to get caught out! Some people are awful! Did think the photo idea is pretty funny though!!

Also, even if you do get their photo and they’re not legit, you’ve still done away with whatever monies you handed over.

enrique said :

Here’s another response that could be useful…

Next time someone knocks on your door that you suspect is dodgy, i.e. they are asking for donations but you’re not too sure if it is legit, just lock the screen door and say “yes, hang on a minute and I’ll go grab my wallet”. Then quickly go and grab your nearest camera/phone-camera and a few coins. When you get back to the door, show them the cash and then ask them if you can take their photo?

If they are legit, they’ll probably think you’re a fruit-loop, but big-deal. Just tell them you sometimes get weirdos knocking on your door and you’re just being a bit cautious.

If they are dodgy, they’ll either pi$$-bolt or get angry and try to stop you (at which point it’s good the door is locked). If you don’t manage to get a photo, you will have pretty-much confirmed on the spot that they are dodgy by calling their bluff. If you do get a photo, you’ve got something useful if later it turns out after enquiring that they were in-fact lying through their teeth.

Surely the simplest thing is to ask for I.D.and credentials. You’re needlessly complicating matters.

Here’s another response that could be useful…

Next time someone knocks on your door that you suspect is dodgy, i.e. they are asking for donations but you’re not too sure if it is legit, just lock the screen door and say “yes, hang on a minute and I’ll go grab my wallet”. Then quickly go and grab your nearest camera/phone-camera and a few coins. When you get back to the door, show them the cash and then ask them if you can take their photo?

If they are legit, they’ll probably think you’re a fruit-loop, but big-deal. Just tell them you sometimes get weirdos knocking on your door and you’re just being a bit cautious.

If they are dodgy, they’ll either pi$$-bolt or get angry and try to stop you (at which point it’s good the door is locked). If you don’t manage to get a photo, you will have pretty-much confirmed on the spot that they are dodgy by calling their bluff. If you do get a photo, you’ve got something useful if later it turns out after enquiring that they were in-fact lying through their teeth.