Don't be fooled by hi-viz jackets

Imogene wrote last July:

If three blokes come to your door in hi-viz jackets, like they did to us the other day, saying they’re doing a survey for moneysupermarket.com, it’s not the moment for bonhomie and inclusiveness and for asking them in for a cup of tea and a squint at your energy bills.

When a fourth character materialised at the back in a suit and tie, I did ask if it was usual for researchers to travel in packs of four, but the answer seemed reasonable - two were trainees and one was the area manager. Luckily my daughter was there, with better fraud-antennae than I have - not so given to mindless optimism. She saw them off, and was proved right by a call to moneysupermarket.com, who said they never send people door to door.

The police came round and opined that the hi-viz mob were probably interested in physically snaffling a few valuables after they’d distracted you. Apart from expected advice about examining ID and not letting people in, the police suggested taking a picture of them. I love it: ‘Could you move together a bit more. Your manager needs to be in it too - we want to see everybody. No, look up. Look this way. Smile!’