Watch out – doorstep con men about!

Trading standards officers are warning residents not to be ripped off by doorstep con men who prey on the most vulnerable, particularly the elderly.

Incidents of ‘doorstep crime’ have risen dramatically over the last few years with unscrupulous callers posing as bona fide roofers, council officials and tradesmen.

Victims are sometimes left financially in ruin, paying hundreds or thousands of pounds for work which is shoddy, incomplete and in most cases not even required in the first place.

Angela Lomax, head of trading standards and licensing at Bury Council, said: “Doorstep crime is very serious, and we are committed to raising awareness, carrying out training with partner agencies and encouraging consumers to report any incidents to us. This is Doorstep Crime Awareness Week in the North West, and we will be working closely with the police and community safety teams to raise awareness of these bogus property repair firms and ensure consumers know their rights.”

Trading Standards ask residents to report details of cold callers and details of vehicles trawling the streets looking for work to the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 04 05 06. Evidence needed includes van registration details, vehicle model and colour, as well as names and contact details of businesses. Residents are also being asked to send in leaflets and flyers received through the door posted by businesses looking to carry out repairs to homes and gardens.

Ms Lomax added: “Not all flyers are distributed by conmen – there are genuine traders who get employment from leaflet drops who work within the law and with their local trading standards service. These businesses do not need to be concerned. By collating details of tradesmen working in the area, we can build up a picture of traders working in the borough. Details on the leaflets will be checked for authenticity and, where possible, those that are not compliant or genuine will be considered for action. We are trying to ensure that North West consumers are empowered and feel confident in dealing with tradesmen.”

Copies of flyers and leaflets can be scanned and emailed to tradingstandards@bury.gov.uk or sent by post to Trading Standards at 3 Knowsley Place, Duke Street, Bury BL9 0EJ.

• Bury Trading Standards have a local tradesman scheme where traders apply to be on it and are vetted before being accepted. The list of traders can be found at: http://www.bury.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=11680

ENDS

Press release issued: 12 April 2016.