LINDEN

A trader at the door says your roof needs urgent work.

Doorstep rogue traders claim urgent repairs are needed and push for cash on the spot. This post explains the warning signs and what to do.

Source: This post is based on the alert Warning following arrest in Ashford rogue trading investigation, published by Kent Police on May 18, 2026.

There is a knock at the door. A friendly stranger says they have noticed a problem with your roof or driveway, that earlier work was not done properly, and that it needs fixing now. The price is high, they want cash, and they may even offer to take you to the bank. This is doorstep crime by a rogue trader. Do not agree to anything on the doorstep, never go to a bank or cash machine with a trader, and close the door.

Kent Police warned residents to be vigilant on May 18, 2026, after a couple in their 70s were approached at home about their roof. Police in Surrey and Canada have issued similar warnings.

What the scam looks like

Kent Police say a man approached the couple at home and told them that previous work on their roof was inadequate and that more work was needed. The quote was reportedly several thousand pounds, and one of them tried to withdraw it in cash at their bank. Bank staff became suspicious, police attended, and a man was arrested on suspicion of fraud.

Surrey Police describe the wider pattern of rogue trading: going door to door offering services such as roofing, driveway repairs or gardening, claiming urgent work is needed, and using pressure to get quick agreement and large upfront payments. They say the work is often poor, incomplete or unnecessary.

A stranger who wants you to fetch cash for them is a warning sign in other scams too, such as courier fraud.

Who it targets

Surrey Police say rogue traders often target vulnerable people, such as older residents or those living alone. In the Kent case, the couple were in their 70s.

Warning signs

  • Someone you did not call turns up offering repairs.
  • A claim that earlier work was poor, or that something is urgent and must be fixed today.
  • A high quote and pressure to agree on the spot.
  • A request for cash or a large payment up front.
  • An offer to drive you to the bank or a cash machine.
  • Reluctance to give a written quote or to let you take time to think.

How to protect yourself

  • Be cautious with unexpected callers. Kent Police advise caution if somebody knocks at your door unexpectedly and offers to carry out repairs.
  • Only agree if you are sure. Agree to work only if you are confident it is needed and that you can trust the person doing it.
  • Get several written quotes first. Kent Police call this good practice, and Surrey Police also suggest checking reviews and asking for references.
  • Never go to a bank or cash machine with a trader. Kent Police say legitimate traders would never do this.
  • Do not be pressured. If you ask a trader to leave and they do not, Kent Police say to contact the police.
  • It is okay to say no. Surrey Police suggest talking to a friend, neighbour or family member for a second opinion, and say a video doorbell can help as a deterrent and as evidence.

A simple family plan

  • Agree a “no work on the doorstep” rule. Any repair offer from a cold caller waits until the family has talked it over.
  • Keep a list of trusted tradespeople the family has used before.
  • Put a note by the door reminding everyone to ask for a written quote and close the door.
  • Check in on neighbours who live alone, especially after traders have been seen in the street.

Scams don’t stop at borders

This alert comes from England, but rogue traders who knock on doors offering urgent repairs are reported in other countries too, including Canada. Wherever you live, it is worth staying informed and being wise before handing over money to someone who arrived uninvited.

The same pattern elsewhere

In England, Surrey Police described Operation Replicate in their May 2026 fraud newsletter, a joint effort with Sussex Police and partners against rogue traders. They said officers across Surrey, East and West Sussex, and Hampshire stopped 113 vehicles, and four arrests were made.

In Canada, the Ottawa Police Service and the Ontario Provincial Police warned about a roofing scam targeting seniors on September 11, 2026, in which suspects falsely claimed to be a police officer and a judge while discussing roofing work. Earlier, on July 14, 2026, the Ottawa Police Service urged caution with door-to-door contractors, advising residents not to make large upfront payments, to ask for a written contract, and to get multiple quotes.

What to do if you’ve been affected

If you have paid for work that was not needed or not done, please do not feel ashamed. Rogue traders are skilled at pressure. Kent Police ask anyone who believes they, a family member or a neighbour have been targeted to report it as soon as possible. Then:

  • US: report to the FBI’s IC3 and to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If you are 60 or older and need help filing with IC3, call the DOJ Elder Justice Hotline on 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311).
  • UK: call 159 to reach your bank (Stop Scams UK) and report to Report Fraud or on 0300 123 2040. Surrey Police say concerns can be reported on 101, or 999 in an emergency.
  • Canada: report to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. In Ottawa, the police ask contractor scam victims to call the Police Reporting Unit at 613-236-1222, extension 7300.
  • Contact your bank on the number printed on your card or statement, not a number the trader gave you.

How Linden helps

Linden is being built so older adults and their families can talk a money decision through with someone they trust. A large repair bill is easier to question when there is someone to talk it over with before any cash changes hands.

Sources

All scams