Dear Kent Residents
Doorstep criminals have been active this week across Kent in Maidstone, Folkestone, Canterbury, Herne Bay, Deal, Margate, Dover, Dartford, Sittingbourne, Tonbridge and New Romney pressuring victims into paying for unnecessary, poor quality driveway, roofing or guttering work.
Please be alert and warn your vulnerable friends and family to never respond to cold callers as you will pay a high cost for unnecessary and poor-quality work.
If you need work done on your home or garden use a safe, local trader from Trading Standards Checked.
Report cold callers anonymously to the charity CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or online here.
For further advice call Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133.
⚠️ Unwanted calls advertising AI investments have been targeting residents.
In one instance, the scammer refused to remove the resident from their contact list. When the resident rang the number back, a different person answered — a strong sign the caller may be spoofing the number to appear local or legitimate.
If you get calls like this:
✅Hang up immediately
🚨Don’t share any personal or financial details
⚠️Block the number
➡️ Report to Report Fraud.
➡️ Advice: Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline: 0808 223 1133
⚠️ Doorstep criminals active at properties in the Birchington, Westgate-on-Sea and other Thanet villages offering to jet wash driveways.
🚫 Do NOT engage with cold callers. Legitimate traders don’t turn up uninvited.
📞 If someone comes to your door or you see suspicious people going door to door, report it:
➡️ CrimeStoppers (100% anonymous): 0800 555 111 or online.
➡️ If they refuse to leave or act aggressively, call 999.
➡️ For advice: Citizens Advice: 0808 223 1133
✅ Need work done? Use a safe local traders from KCC Trading Standards Checked.
📣 Please warn vulnerable friends, neighbours and family.
⚠️ Criminals have been calling residents in Dymchurch, Canterbury, Dover, Deal, Tunbridge Wells, Ashford and Herne Bay impersonating police officers.
📞 Residents are being called and told:
– Their bank account has been compromised
– Their card needs replacing
– A family member has been arrested
– They must buy gold
– A courier will collect their card, cash, or gold.
🚨 These are scams. The police will never ask for your financial details over the phone or send someone to collect your card, cash, or valuables.
📽️ Watch how this scam works.
If this happens to you:
☎️ Call your bank immediately using 159
➡️ Report it to Kent Police.