Merseyside Police are warning residents to be vigilant following a significant increase in losses from doorstep fraud.
Doorstep fraud is a type of scam where criminals attempt to trick people out of their money or gain access to their property.
Scams include posing as tradespeople , pressure selling using intense tactics to rush you into a decision, fake surveys and collections attempting to gain personal details and impersonation – where people often claim to be from an organisation.
Between July and September 2025, 35 doorstep frauds were reported across the Merseyside region – with total losses from that period totalling over £292,000, tripling from last quarter.
Criminals’ tactics are evolving with scams sometimes taking place over a period of several months. This longer-term approach will entail the criminals registering a company name, calling at properties and using persuasive techniques to sell services.
Often the criminals return months later, now trading under a different company name claiming the original work needs rectifying before charging additional money for further unnecessary work.
Detective Sergeant John Causton of the Economic Crime Team at Merseyside Police said: “Fraud of any kind can have a devastating impact on victims, both emotionally and financially. It’s not just about the money – it’s the betrayal of trust that follows. We are determined to pursue those responsible.
DS Causton described how the criminals deliberately target the most vulnerable members of the community . He said: “The biggest issue with this type of fraud compared with many others such as online frauds where there is no face-to-face contact, is these door-to-door scams involve people on your doorstep who can be quite intimidating.”
Steve Smith, Service Manager in Environmental Health and Trading Standards at Sefton Council, said: “Doorstep fraud remains a serious concern for us in Sefton, particularly as we continue to see vulnerable and elderly residents being targeted in their own homes.
Mr Smith said the fraudsters are becoming increasingly clever with tricking those on their own doorstep: “These fraudsters are becoming increasingly calculated, they often present themselves as professional and trustworthy, only to exploit people’s goodwill and fears for financial gain.”
