COLD calling is an unwelcome intrusion into your day that could turn into a potential financial or physical threat.

When someone you do not know knocks on your door it is difficult to know whether or not they are genuinely attempting to sell you something or looking for a way into your house.

That is why it is excellent that police are taking time out to visit elderly people and advise them as to how to deal with bogus officials and cowboy workmen.

Police will also be staging events at sheltered housing complexes and social clubs to help spread the word.

Basically, the simple message is to put a chain on your door and make sure you double-check the identification of everyone who knocks on it and, if you are still not sure, do not let them in.

Let us hope the police campaign manages to reduce the number of victims of hoax callers.