For outcalls to houses I ask for

- landline number
- copy of a bill with their address and name on it
- I'll take the bill if they don't have a landline (I don't have a landline so I know not everyone has them)

these are my non negotiable things (the second one, mostly). I've had to turn lots of appointments down to people who won't give me them, but at the end of the day safety is most important. It's also important to have a security buddy you check in with before and after each appointment (and they know where you are in advance of you getting there), and having a protocol of what to do if things don't go okay.

how do i know its the no for that address though? It could be someone 3 doors down who just want to play a prank and see the neighbours face when he opens the door to me!

The purpose of getting the number is so that you can check it corresponds with the address you are being asked to visit - you can do this on the electoral roll with sites like 192.com and other 'phone book' type places.

It sounds as if you haven't read the main SAAFE site - this forum is really just an offshoot and not a substitute or a shortcut for the important information in the articles there. There's an outcall article which explains your checks in more detail, but as posted above it's equally important that somebody you trust knows where you're going and at what time you're leaving so you can call in with them before and after .