Trading Standards Warning Over Rogue Traders and Cold Callers in West Yorkshire
During the summer months, home owners often look to the repair and maintenance of their homes. West Yorkshire Trading Standards wants to remind householders to be extra vigilant about traders who turn up unannounced on their doorstep offering to carry out property repair or gardening work. They will offer to carry out the work for a low price, but then pretend more work is necessary, with costs quickly escalating.
Communities are also being urged to look out for elderly and vulnerable relatives, friends and neighbours who are often preyed upon by rogue traders.
Six key selling techniques often employed by bogus doorstep sellers:
A rogue trader may also leaflet an area in addition to making doorstep calls.
These are some suggestions from Trading Standards on positive steps you can take to limit the risks:
A multi-agency task force at Trading Standards, the West Yorkshire Financial Exploitation and Abuse Team (WYFEAT), comprising of professionals from Trading Standards, Police and Social Services, investigates doorstep crime and safeguards victims.
Councillor Habiban Zaman, Member of the West Yorkshire Joint Services Committee which oversees the work of Trading Standards, said “Doorstep crime can affect anyone, however, rogue traders often prey on elderly and vulnerable people and can have a significant detrimental impact on victims over and above their financial losses. Trading Standards relies on information from members of the public to catch these criminals and bring them to justice. If you are concerned that you or a neighbour may be a victim please contact Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 03454 040506.”
David Lodge, Head of West Yorkshire Trading Standards, said “A charismatic salesperson can be intimidating and it is easy to fall for their charm. This is a skill often used by rogue traders, to convince you to buy something you may not need or agree to terms you haven’t fully checked out. It is not illegal for traders to canvas for work in this way but it is important that people are cautious and don’t make hasty decisions about agreeing to have work done by traders who come to their doorstep.”