‘Rogue traders’ warning issued

Published on 18/03/2013 09:56

Trading Standards officers are warning elderly residents about the dangers of rogue traders.

Leicestershire Trading Standards has received reports from across the county that elderly and vulnerable residents have received cold-calls on their doorstep from traders offering to jet wash paving, repair fences, cut down trees and lay new driveways.

Large sums are charged for relatively little work and once the resident agrees to have the work carried out and the traders gain access to the property, such as rear garden areas, pressure is applied to the resident to persuade them to have other jobs done.

No cancellation rights or paperwork are given and the traders start work straight away, which they should only do if the customer specifically agrees to this in writing.

Professional looking leaflets showing an ‘0800’ number is the only information the customer receives.

Trading Standards always advise residents to never agree to work on the doorstep and if the caller refuses to leave call the Police on 999 and then Trading Standards.

They urged anyone with information about similar activities to contact them on on 08454 040506 or use telltradingstandards@leics.gov.uk

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‘Rogue traders’ warning issued

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