How dumb do these people think you are?

thomasdown

Apologies if this is in the wrong area on this website but seeming as though it's to do with bank accounts and what I think is a scam, thought I'd let u know about it?

Just had a knock at the door to a gentleman wearing what looks like a authentic ambulance hi-Vis jacket, and a lovely photo of an air ambulance saying they need funding and they are doing a lottery. Fair enough I thought maybe take £1 or £2 a ticket cash, oh no we need your bank details to take a monthly subscription???

I then told him to get off my land before he met my friend Mr Baseball bat? Just can't believe the audacity and wonder how many old people in the area will fall victim? Looks like there is 3 of the guys down the road doing this?

I live in Hornchurch, Essex (Greater London) so if you are in the area be careful?

RetiredInThailand

Perhaps a call to the local police would be useful?

Lith

sounds like a dirty merchant..


he's hoping to see 'an old person' answer the door, because to them


old = money

alanq

This need not have been a con. There are plenty of chuggers signing people up to regular subscriptions to legitimate charities (usually on commission) around most shopping centres. Kent Air Ambulance has doorstep promoters of its lottery so perhaps Essex does also.
"We have door to door representatives who promote our lottery across Kent, Surrey and Sussex. They do not collect cash or take any donations whatsoever. The new lottery members who sign up agree to join/play via Direct Debit payment or cheque."
http://www.kssairambulance.org.uk/Lottery/lottery_representatives

However, there are also plenty of cheats so it is not worth taking a risk.
Bogus lottery callers for "Devon Air Ambulance".
http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/Alert-bogus-collectors/story-11394750-detail/story.html

The Essex Air Ambulance lottery has the option of regular payment by direct debit. Other options are by cheque or debit card each of which will give someone access to some of your banking details.
http://www.flightforlifelottery.uk.com/Payment/tabid/61/Default.aspx

By dealing with a charity as directly as possible one not only reduces the risk of being conned but one ensures that a middle-man will not be taking a portion of the donations.

opinions4u

It was probably genuine. I get similar from different charities three or four times a year.

But I always take the view that somebody knocking on my door and asking me for money should sod off.

If in doubt you could presumably make a verification call etc.

McKneff

To be honest, the old 'Get off my Land and the basebat thing was a bit over the top.

These are legitimate companies, we may not like it but a simple
'No thank you' would have been sufficient.

thomasdown

I did ring the local police station and got told by the lady who answered that it being the weekend and especially a Sunday that resources are limited and they will try and get someone out within 4-6 hours? Told them not to worry they will be long gone? (that's what you pay your taxes for I suppose hey? Lol)

I quite regularly give the odd £1 or £2 to charities that knock that I agree with (guide dogs etc) but to knock on someones door at 10:30 on a Sunday morning and ask for there bank details, it's got to be a con! I don't agree with the argument that it's a logit charity I'm sorry which is why when he was hard selling the lottery tickets I told him in no un-certain terms to pee off?

jalexa

thomasdown wrote: »

I did ring the local police station and got told by the lady who answered that it being the weekend and especially a Sunday that resources are limited and they will try and get someone out within 4-6 hours?

Ha, you should have mentioned "baseball bats" to ensure an immediate armed response by helicopter:D

McKneff

It is a legitimate business, the same as the chuggers in the city centres,

They are just doing a job and it is not a scam.

I wouldnt give them my bank details but I certainly wouldnt be rude to them. That's just ignorant in my opinion.

innovate

They can set up stalls in shopping centres etc any time they like, because I can choose whether to give them my time (and money). But knocking on people's doors and beg for money is something entirely different.

As far as I am concerned, anyone knocking at our door who we haven't invited, or who wants to save our lives because the house is burning and we haven't noticed, will be told in no uncertain terms to make it off the premises a bit quick. If they think they get rude treatment, that's their problem, not ours.

There's just about nobody in this day and age who cannot make donations to charities if they wish to do so. There's no need at all for doorstep callers.

McKneff

I'm off, you have my opinion.

Youre starting to sound very pompous.