Doorstep fraud is not an isolated case - it is one of the most common scams in everyday life. Criminals use trust, insecurity and moments of surprise to gain access to homes. If you know the tricks, you can protect yourself effectively.
What is doorstep fraud?
Doorstep fraud refers to targeted attempts at deception in which fraudsters try to gain access to flats or houses under false pretences. They often pose as supposedly trustworthy people - such as tradesmen, police officers, energy consultants or employees of public authorities.
The aim is almost always the same: to put pressure on the residents, gain their trust or feign an emergency situation in order to gain access to their home or steal personal data and valuables.
Doorstep fraud is typically characterised by a surprise appearance without prior notice. They often deliberately try to create uncertainty or force quick decisions - for example by claiming an emergency, urgent repairs or official checks.
It is precisely because the perpetrators appear professional and convincing that it is important to know the basic patterns and recognise them at an early stage.
The tricks of doorstep scammers
The aim of the fraudsters is to gain entry in order to steal cash, jewellery or other valuables. The disguises are varied: whether disguised as people in need of help, tradesmen, officials or currently as employees of the health authority, a pretext is given to gain entry. One scam is to engage residents in conversation, enter the premises with them and leave the front door open for accomplices. A second person then enters unnoticed and searches for valuables. Elderly people were often the victims here. Currently, however, people who work from home are also affected.
Burglar-resistant doors as protection
Burglar-resistant doors offer good protection when residents are not at home. They are less easy for burglars to overcome than conventional doors, where the body weight of the burglar is often enough to gain entry.
Standards and resistance classes for doors with burglary protection help you choose the right product. The newly revised DIN EN 1627 standard from May 2019 defines 6 resistance classes RC 1 - RC 6 (RC = Resistance Class).The standard is based on Europe-wide experience with burglary attempts and analyses of the annual statistics published by the criminal investigation department on the typical approach of burglars, according to which the usual tools and perpetrator profiles are defined for the respective RC classes.
The burglar-resistant doors are standard-compliant and available in resistance classes RC 2 and RC 3. The doors can also be equipped with additional functions without compromising on appearance. For example, a climate class can be added to help prevent the door from warping under climatic stress. Our burglar-resistant interior doors are also equipped with at least sound insulation class SK 1.
By the way: Existing flat entrance doors with inadequate burglary protection can be retrofitted.
You can find more information on burglar-resistant doors and a detailed explanation of DIN EN standard 1627 here.
SmartDOORS
The SmartDOORS with integrated technology from KIWI enable keyless access via app or transponder. The Comfort and Premium versions are equipped with class RC2 burglary protection. Our SmartDOORS with technology from KIWI have been specially developed for larger buildings with many flats or housing associations.
In conjunction with a smart doorbell (available from specialist electrical retailers), which uses a camera to show what is happening in front of the door, these modern door solutions also offer good protection against uninvited guests. Contact is made via the smart doorbell's camera when the front door is closed. This makes it possible to determine in a safe atmosphere whether the person in front of the door has been granted access to the flat, instead of possibly being taken by surprise in a stressful situation at the open front door.
Quick tips against doorstep scammers
- Take a close look at the person through the peephole or the video system before opening the door.
- Do not let strangers into your home. In the event of intrusive behaviour, you should raise your voice or call for help.
- You should always ask for official identification from public officials and check this by phoning an official office.
- Make arrangements with neighbours to help each other in case of doubt.
- Only allow tradesmen you have appointed yourself or who have been announced by the property management to enter your home.