Rogue Traders: Police warning to residents

POLICE IN THE EAST RIDING are reminding residents to take care when purchasing items or agreeing building work from doorstep traders.

Trading standards investigations have found these traders often travel into the area from all over the country, and will give a price for work to be done but rarely give any cancellation paperwork that is required. Halfway through the job they will try and inflate the price, often intimidating the householder into paying the higher price. Rogue traders have also been known to accompany victims to the bank to obtain their money.

Detective Inspector Emma Heatley, Goole CID said: "Residents are still being targeted by traders who knock on the door without warning, trying to sell goods and services. They often offer to carry out free checks hoping to sign you up there and then. At this time of the year, it could be cutting down trees, paving driveways, resurfacing, replacing fascias, repairing roofs, damp proofing, general building work, guttering insulation or even selling motorised scooters! These criminals are ruthless and determined to make money regardless of who they approach and how unsuitable the product or service is." 

 DI Heatley added: "We would like residents to say no to doorstep callers in an attempt to protect them from unscrupulous salesmen and distraction burglars. "If you need work doing to your property you should preferably use someone who has been recommended to you and who you will be able to contact if anything goes wrong."

Rogue traders often skirt very close to breaking the law but sadly sometimes do not cross the line legally, instead choosing to con their victims out of significant quantities of cash by using unethical hard sell tactics. The law says that if anyone enters into a contract away from business premises then the trader must give a notice advising that there is a seven day period in which the other party can change their mind.

To report doorstep crime to trading standards, call Consumer Direct, on 08454 04 05 06 or to report an incident to Humberside Police, call 0845 60 60 222.

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EAST RIDING COUNCIL trading standards service is warning residents to be extra vigilant about a telephone scam, which tries to trick people into giving out their bank account details in return for a promised council tax rebate.

The scam involves the fraudsters calling people to tell them they are owed a refund on their council tax. The fraudsters are very convincing saying they are ringing from the council or a central claims court in London, and seem to already know a number of personal details about the resident, lulling them into a false sense of trust. Crucially however, they ask for the resident’s bank account or card details in order for the money to be credited to their account.

The general advice being issued to the public is that they should not give out any bank account or credit card details to any unsolicited telephone calls that ask for such personal information.

Every year, three million people fall victim to such scams losing an average of £850 each, and sometimes a great deal more. The scammers are clever, and all kinds of people from all walks of life get duped. If you let down your guard, you too could become a victim.

Colin Briggs, trading standards services manager at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said:

Anyone who is due a refund on their council tax bill will be well aware of it as they will have been in contact with either the council or the valuation office agency. If you receive an unexpected call concerning council tax it is almost certain to come from someone who wishes to commit fraud against you.”

Any one affected by the scam can report it to Consumer Direct the Government's consumer advice service on telephone 08454-040506.

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