Scammers are crooks and will scheme to con you out of your money, your identity — or both. The thought of such scoundrels coming to your door to hurt you or take advantage of you is not pleasant. But it happens every day.
The Risk of Unsolicited Visitors: How To Handle Unexpected Guests
Physical protection from scammers primarily involves preventing them from gaining access to your home or private information through deceptive means.
Scammers can come in many forms, including door-to-door salespeople, fake service workers, or even pseudo-charity collectors. Here's how to physically protect your home:
Peephole or Doorbell Camera:
Install a peephole or a video doorbell camera to see who is at the door without opening it. This allows you to verify a visitor's identity before allowing them entry.
Do Not Allow Unsolicited Visitors Entry:
Never let unsolicited visitors into your home. Scammers often pose as utility workers, government officials, or contractors to gain access to your personal space and information.
Verify Identity:
If someone claims to be from a legitimate organization, ask for identification and call the company directly (using the number from their official website) to verify before letting them in.
Secure Personal Information:
Keep personal documents, such as bills, receipts, and identification, out of sight and secure. Scammers may use any available personal information to commit fraud.
Use a Shredder:
Shred documents containing personal information before throwing them away. Scammers can rummage through trash to find bank statements, credit card offers, and other data.
Don’t Share Personal Information:
Train family members not to share personal information with strangers, especially those who may call or visit unexpectedly.
No Cash Transactions:
Avoid making cash transactions or donations with door-to-door representatives. Legitimate charities and businesses will have formal payment methods.
Be Skeptical of High-pressure Tactics:
Scammers often use these to get you to act quickly. When you must make a choice, especially one that involves money or a deal, you should always take your time.
Install Good Locks and Security Systems:
A good security system will deter scammers from targeting your home. Make sure doors and windows have strong locks and consider an alarm system.
Beware of Over-the-Fence Scams:
Be cautious of individuals offering services from over the fence or mentioning they’ve been working on a neighbor's property. Verify their claims before engaging.
Educate Your Household:
Make sure that all members of your household are aware of the common types of scams and the tactics used by scammers.
Be Cautious with Caller ID:
Scammers can spoof caller ID to make it look like they’re calling from a legitimate company or a local number. Be cautious even if the caller ID seems legitimate.
Network with Neighbors:
Join a neighborhood watch group or community online forums to keep abreast of any scammer activities reported in your area.
Secure Wi-Fi Networks:
Make sure your home Wi-Fi network is secure to prevent cyber scammers from accessing your devices and personal information.
Signage:
Post signs or stickers indicating that your home is protected by security systems or that you do not entertain unsolicited salespeople.
While some of these tips may not stop scammers from attempting to target you, they can greatly reduce your vulnerability to their tactics and increase the likelihood that they will move on to an easier target.