Red Cross Door-to-Door callers

MikeHiow · 22 Feb 2011 at 11:59

I just had two people claiming to be from Red Cross at the door, now I didn't give them any details but on reflection the whole thing seemed incredibly dodgy.

Firstly, they were asking for a 20p a day donation, but stated that this would not happen for two months. I told them I wasn't really interested but they could leave me with the information so I could have a look at my own leisure. They didn't have a leaflet, but said they'd write down the details so and asked if they could use the side to write them down.

Upon inviting them in to the kitchen, one of them came out with some crap about me having new shoes - naturally I looked down and in hindsight this seems like a distraction method. Then they asked if I was 25, told me that I had to be 25 and then made the assumption I was about 22 - which seems incredibly odd and seemed like an excuse to leave.

Am I just being paranoid? I've checked the kitchen and nothing is missing, my first thought was car keys however one was in the door and the other on my desk in another room.

MrMoonX · 22 Feb 2011 at 12:01

why did u let them in?

just say not interested and shut the door

Edrof · 22 Feb 2011 at 12:03

Google BEKs. Surprised you are alive!

MikeHiow · 22 Feb 2011 at 12:04

Because I'm nice and polite, and one of them was Hot

MikeHiow · 22 Feb 2011 at 12:06

Forde said:
Google BEKs. Surprised you are alive!

Huh? Have you tried Googling this, I cannot see anything even remotely relevant?

Gideon Lorr · 22 Feb 2011 at 12:06

If its at my door, or in the street, I tell them where to go. Even if I was interested in whatever they are offering, I'm not going to hand over my details to/invite in potentially anyone.

Cosimo · 22 Feb 2011 at 12:07

Sounds a bit suspicious to me, no leaflets. Did you ask for ID? I’d ring your local Safer Neighbourhood Team.

Edrof · 22 Feb 2011 at 12:14

MikeHiow said:
Huh? Have you tried Googling this, I cannot see anything even remotely relevant?

BEKs = Black Eyed Kids.

It's an urban legend (or is it??!??!?!?!?!?) about weird people that ask to be let into your house!

TwsT · 22 Feb 2011 at 12:26

don't let em in,

you don't have to, they can't take money from you either they can ask you to fill in a form. i've done their job it's awful damn bleeding hearts.

i lasted 3 days ebfore i decided it's not worth it. the hassle and the fact it's invasive.

MikeHiow · 22 Feb 2011 at 12:28

I know I don't have to let them in, but I was genuinely interested and I'm aware that Red Cross does have genuine door to door callers.

PhillyDee · 22 Feb 2011 at 12:30

MikeHiow said:
Because I'm nice and polite, and one of them was Hot

Thats the exact reason I have Sky TV in

.

Though I hate people knocking on the door like this, I just say no, I am not interested and prefer to donate my own way. The ones the argue are the ones I really hate. The others get apolite cheerio. These ones get a not so polite *slam*.

Sp00n · 22 Feb 2011 at 12:34

MikeHiow said:
Because I'm nice and polite, and one of them was Hot

That's why they put them on the rounds, to get suckers like you

NSPCC women caught my eye as I was crossing the road yesterday, she sort of walked up to me and said "so, I noticed you were crossing the road to come and talk to me" I just looked at her and replied "Nope" and then walked off

robgmun · 22 Feb 2011 at 12:39

i would have opened and closed the door before they could even speak

Cosimo · 22 Feb 2011 at 12:50

robgmun said:
i would have opened and closed the door before they could even speak

Some people wouldn't even bother opening the door. I'd be suspicious of anyone going door to door during the day when most people are at work.

RomanNose · 22 Feb 2011 at 12:53

Fenris · 22 Feb 2011 at 13:03

Anyone working on behalf of the Red Cross working door to door will have 2 things, required by law.

1 - An ID badge, stating what company they are working for or that they are a volunteer for the Red Cross.
2 - A letter stating that the Red Cross has permission to go door to door in your area.

Also generally the Red Cross uses a carbon copy form for all details, one which is for your details, the other is a deceleration from yourself which has the details of the volunteer.

If they don't have both, don't bother with them.

Also simulatorman, there is a very good reason for them to be around when most people are at work, it's done to eliminate the unemployed/elderly etc, also see who isn't there so they can come back later during "prime time".

P.S, I know this because it's currently my job.

anything I don't mind · 22 Feb 2011 at 13:07

i never answer the door unless i am expecting someone. I just look at the windows, if i do not know them or they are from tv license or other state minions, i just don't open the door.

MikeHiow · 22 Feb 2011 at 13:12

Fenris said:
Anyone working on behalf of the NHS working door to door will have 2 things, required by law.

1 - An ID badge, stating what company they are working for or that they are a volunteer for the NHS.
2 - A letter stating that the NHS has permission to go door to door in your area.

Also generally the NHS uses a carbon copy form for all details, one which is for your details, the other is a deceleration from yourself which has the details of the volunteer.

If they don't have both, don't bother with them.

Also simulatorman, there is a very good reason for them to be around when most people are at work, it's done to eliminate the unemployed/elderly etc, also see who isn't there so they can come back later during "prime time".

P.S, I know this because it's currently my job.

Red Cross isn't NHS, though.

Fenris · 22 Feb 2011 at 13:13

MikeHiow said:
Red Cross isn't NHS, though.

Your right, I did in fact mean Red Cross, not entirely sure where I got NHS from. However the same goes for pretty much every official door to door sales person.

MikeHiow · 22 Feb 2011 at 13:18

So if you've worked for them, does it sound legit? Ie. the 2 month and 25 year old thing?