Rogue Traders & Cold Calling

What is Doorstep Crime?

‘Doorstep Crime’ is the name given to crimes carried out by bogus callers and rogue traders who call uninvited at homes under the guise of legitimate businesses or trade persons.

The phrase ‘doorstep crime’ includes distraction burglary, bogus callers, rogue traders and unscrupulous salespeople. Doorstep crime can take many forms, including pressure selling, unfair contracts, overpriced or substandard home maintenance or improvements, phoney consumer surveys and bogus charity collections.

Such crimes involve promoting goods or services that are either never delivered or are of very poor quality. Criminals may also bill for work that was never agreed to.

Doorstep criminals will offer to conduct home and garden maintenance work or repairs. Sometimes, the offers will include the more difficult and less favourable home maintenance jobs like gutter cleaning, loose tile replacement or tree trimming.

The prospect of ‘on the spot’ discounts or the ability to start work straight away may sound ideal, but often these are just some of the tactics a Rogue Trader will use in order to get your business.

Common factors we see in reports involving rogue traders

• • The quoted price started off quite cheap, but soon escalate to more unnecessary work at an increasing cost
  • Payment upfront is requested, no receipts or invoices are provided, the trader leaves the work unfinished or even in some cases not even started. The rogues have taken the money and gone!
  • A cash only payment basis is requested, the Rogue Traders will drive the consumer to the bank or cash machine in order to take payment
  • The work is really shoddy, sometimes even more damage is caused which incurs further cost to the consumer to rectify.
  • The Rogue Traders are not actually qualified to carry out some of the specialist work they are offering.

If you are able to recognise the signs of a potential Rogue Trader, you can be confident to SAY NO at your doorstep and ask the trader to return at a later time or leave you a business card so you can make contact WHEN YOU ARE READY.

#saynototherogues

How to Find the Right Trader for you

• Try obtaining two or three quotes from different traders to compare. Ask friends and relatives to recommend a reputable businesses.
• Ask questions – don’t just rely on a name and mobile number. Find out about their experience, previous work, current work, availability, any website details, customer testimonials and address.
• Ask for a written quotation detailing all the proposed work and a final price for the job. Always remember to ask regarding potential extra’s such as any specialist equipment hire (extra fee’s?) and waste removal.
• Only pay once the work is completed to your satisfaction and avoid paying cash.

Top Tips -    

• Use a door chain before you let anybody in
• If a trader claims to be part of a Trade Association or approved body, advertises the membership via a leaflet or website make some enquiries to confirm this. If you have access to the internet, you can usually check and verify online.