There was a ‘Nottingham Knocker’ incident reported in Wootton Courtenay on Wednesday which turned out to be a scam. A young man was going door-to-door selling household goods, claiming he was ex-Army. A villager bought three items from him and the seller asked for payment by credit or debit card, saying he couldn’t take cash. The villager held their debit card forward to make the £35 contactless payment on the seller’s mobile phone, but he took it and held it over the phone himself. He then claimed the payment hadn’t gone through and held it over the phone again.
After the seller had gone the villager became suspicious and decided to contact their bank. It turned out that the seller hadn’t taken £35 but approximately £90. The villager’s bank has been alerted and they will be intercepting the payment when it is requested by the payment company so that only £35 is paid. However, the villager was shaken by the incident and wanted to warn others who may have fallen foul of the same seller.
Remember, always ask for ID from door-to-door sellers. If someone says they can’t take cash, ask why – after all, cash is legal tender. If an electronic payment doesn’t go through you should receive a receipt to confirm the voided transaction. If in any doubt, simply say ‘no, thank you’ and close the door.
Timberscombe 