South Gloucestershire Trading Standards would like to remind residents to be cautious when answering the door to an unexpected visitor, following a sharp rise in the number of rogue trader complaints being received in the South West region.
As spring approaches, the weather improves and the nights draw out many rogue traders take advantage of this and start targeting residents.
Trading Standards have been made aware of rogue traders recently offering a variety of services which include driveway sealing/cleaning, wall repairs, garden services, roofing repairs, as well as guttering maintenance.
Incidents such as these are also linked to distraction burglaries and residents are encouraged to report them to Trading Standards.
Trading Standards would encourage any resident not to deal with traders who cold call. However, if you choose to there are a number of steps residents can take to try and avoid becoming the victim of a rogue.
- Be wary of traders who cold call and the deals they offer you – it is unusual for genuine tradesmen to need to cold call to drum up work!
- Do not allow any unknown and unexpected visitor into your home.
- If they claim work needs doing, get a second or even third opinion from other professional tradesman.
- If you agree to work you are afforded cancellation rights by law, and these should be given to you in writing. It is a criminal offence not to provide these in certain circumstances.
- If you are unhappy or feel intimidated by the visitor – shut the door and call the police.
If you believe you have fallen victim to a rogue trader, or would like some further pre-shopping advice, please contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 03454 04 05 06.
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