[buzzing]

Can you get in trouble for knocking on doors with the police?  A mate did it and someone called the police and he was picked up and they just asked him some questions about his VAT number.   Another friend has just started out (no customers) and so doesn't have a VAT number, what should he say?  And would they believe him and how would they check if he had other customers and so not paying tax?

[Window Lickers]

They asked him about his VAT number??  lol

Did he have one? 99% of window cleaners will have no need for a VAT number.

[Mick Kent]

Lol well funny, as if the police will care what your vat number is, now if the taxman or vat man turned up then that would be another story.

[Mike #1]

Can you get in trouble for knocking on doors with the police?  A mate did it and someone called the police and he was picked up and they just asked him some questions about his VAT number.   Another friend has just started out (no customers) and so doesn't have a VAT number, what should he say?  And would they believe him and how would they check if he had other customers and so not paying tax?

Surely the police have got better things to do than go canvasing for window cleaning jobs with , They should be out catching criminals 

[*Hector*]

When in a previous life I used to run teams of door knockers, I used to go to the local police station before they started, and give the desk officer the names of all canvassers and the area that they would be working in.

If your mate goes in to his local place and tells them the places and times he will be working, if anyone calls in... they will know about him.

[Window Lickers]

They'll know about him anyway by the sounds of things.

[SeanK]

The answer is no, there is no law against door knocking but if a home owner thinks that you may be
sussing the joint then they might inform the police.
So its best to have some form of photographic I.D. with you just in case they show up.
This will save any hassle.
I would say they asked did he have a vat number as this could be checked to verify that he is who he says he is.

[Window Lickers]

There are hourly limitations which make it illegal to knock if you're out and about at certain times of the day.

[Arnold Palmer]

Are you sure it wasn't his company number?

[buzzing]

might have been the company number, is there such a thing?  Just thought he said VAT number.  I guess if this guy is worried if the police look into his tax payments then just say he has just started out.

[PoleKing]

might have been the company number, is there such a thing?  Just thought he said VAT number.  I guess if this guy is worried if the police look into his tax payments then just say he has just started out.

Yup. A ltd company has one. I believe that the number has to be on their paperwork.

[Arnold Palmer]

might have been the company number, is there such a thing?  Just thought he said VAT number.  I guess if this guy is worried if the police look into his tax payments then just say he has just started out.

Yup. A ltd company has one. I believe that the number has to be on their paperwork.

More than just the company number and more than just Ltd companies.

The Business Names Act 1985 makes it a criminal offence for traders not to provide you with their proper name and address on business paperwork: letters, invoices, estimates, notices of cancellation etc. If you answer the door to traders who are reluctant to provide you with written information about their business:
BEWARE!!

For doorstep sellers, REMEMBER:
BEWARE of traders who are not prepared to leave you any paperwork.
BEWARE of traders who do not provide you with the full name of the business and a landline telephone and an address.
BEWARE of traders who do not carry an identification card
BEWARE of traders who do carry an identification card, but are not prepared to let you take it off them for close examination.
BEWARE of traders with identification cards that do not have a landline telephone number on them to allow you to confirm the identity of the doorstep caller by calling the premises of the trader.
BEWARE of traders who recommend that you call a mobile telephone number to check their identity.

[windiewasher]

All depends on how you approach people at the door.A canvasser has been arrested recently and being investigated for bullying and intimidating the older generation

So be careful how you knock and take no for a answer and as said above read the letters and stickers thats on the front doors regarding canvassing and sales people.