Rogue Traders
Introduction
“I’ve been working down the road and I’ve got some Tarmac. Want me to do your drive for a good price?”
“If you haven’t got any cash, don’t worry. We can run you to the bank.”
“Your roof needs doing urgently, it could fall in at any time. You wouldn’t want anyone to get hurt would you?”
We’ve seen them on the TV, but sadly rogue traders are operating here on the Isle of Wight. Unfortunately they see the Island as an easy target due to its high number of elderly and vulnerable residents.
The Isle of Wight Trading Standards Service has worked in partnership with Hampshire Constabulary and expert witnesses to achieve successful prosecutions of rogue traders.
Whether it’s gross overcharging, carrying out unnecessary work, lying about work done or even burglary, rogue traders have a devastating impact on their victims who are often left feeling embarrassed and afraid.
Victims who live alone will often suffer in silence for fear of their family deciding they are incapable of living independently.
Rather than contracting on the doorstep, if you have work that needs doing, we recommend our Buy With Confidence list of approved traders below.
www.iwight.com/bwc/
These traders have been vetted and are CRB checked.
If you are suspicious of a doorstep trader please try to obtain the registration of the vehicle and contact us immediately on 823371.
How do rogue traders operate?
Once they have chosen an area they will knock on doors or drop leaflets. Any contact numbers given on leaflets will often be mobile or 0800 numbers.
If you answer the door or happen to be outside your property when they call, they might say they live on the Island, have worked on your property before or are working around the corner and noticed you have “a problem with your roof/trees/driveway”. This is to draw you into a conversation and gain your confidence.
Be particularly wary of doorstep callers offering to carry out gardening work, pressure washing or roofing work. Some work can be dangerous and there have been incidents on the Island where they have damaged property by doing it incorrectly.
If you answer the door or happen to be outside your property when they call, they might say they live on the Island, have worked on your property before or are working around the corner and noticed you have “a problem with your roof/trees/driveway”. This is to draw you into a conversation and gain your confidence.
Be particularly wary of doorstep callers offering to carry out gardening work, pressure washing or roofing work. Some work can be dangerous and there have been incidents on the Island where they have damaged property by doing it incorrectly.
What criminal offences might be commited?
When you arrange to have work done in your home costing over £35, you must be given a 7 day cooling-off notice by law. This is regardless of whether you invited them into your home or if they cold-called you. It is a criminal offence for this notice not to be given.
If you do not receive this notice, the contract is unenforceable and they cannot pursue you for any money. If you want the work to start straight away, you have to sign the notice that says you are waiving your cooling-off period.
There may be other offences committed at the time they arranged the work. For example, if they were aggressive, lied or pressurised you, these are also criminal offences.
If you do not receive this notice, the contract is unenforceable and they cannot pursue you for any money. If you want the work to start straight away, you have to sign the notice that says you are waiving your cooling-off period.
There may be other offences committed at the time they arranged the work. For example, if they were aggressive, lied or pressurised you, these are also criminal offences.
I’ve had work done - what do I do?
Sometimes people feel ashamed after falling victim to a scam. It is important to be aware rogue traders are criminals who have years of experience in what to say and they could scam anyone of any age. Don’t let embarrassment stop you from getting help or telling anyone, you may have been a victim of crime.
- If the traders are still there, try to get the vehicle registration if possible.
- Call the Isle of Wight Trading Standards Service on 823371. If necessary, we may come out to see you and speak to you about what happened.
- Keep any paperwork you were given, even if it’s only a leaflet.
I’m worried about my neighbour/relative - what do I do?
- If the work has already been done and the traders have left, if the person is willing to tell you what happened, try to make notes and gather any paperwork or leaflets they were given. Ask them how the work came about, how much they paid for the work, how they paid and what work was done.
- If the traders are on the premises, try to get the registration number of the vehicle urgently.
- Either way, call the Isle of Wight Trading Standards Service on 823371. If necessary, we may come out to see you and speak to you about what happened.
How can I prevent myself becoming a victim?
Do not contract with anyone on the doorstep. If you want work doing ask friends or relatives for recommendations. We have a Trading Standards list of approved traders who have been vetted and CRB checked available at http://www.iwight.com/bwc/
Businesses such as Avon, Betterware, Kleeneze, etc who deliver catalogues and collect orders but do no ‘door knocking’ are not regarded as cold callers nor are religious callers.
No Cold Calling Zones are set up in areas which are deemed to have a large vulnerable population. They are not legally enforceable but traders should respect the wishes of householders who are displaying the sticker.
The purpose of these zones is to give residents confidence to refuse engagement on the doorstep and to report traders. Rogue traders are aware of this and know they are likely to be reported if they knock on doors in that area.
If you are interested in setting up a No Cold Calling Zone, please contact us on 823370.
Businesses such as Avon, Betterware, Kleeneze, etc who deliver catalogues and collect orders but do no ‘door knocking’ are not regarded as cold callers nor are religious callers.
No Cold Calling Zones are set up in areas which are deemed to have a large vulnerable population. They are not legally enforceable but traders should respect the wishes of householders who are displaying the sticker.
The purpose of these zones is to give residents confidence to refuse engagement on the doorstep and to report traders. Rogue traders are aware of this and know they are likely to be reported if they knock on doors in that area.
If you are interested in setting up a No Cold Calling Zone, please contact us on 823370.
Page last updated on: 28/06/2012
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