With the summer months upon us, local residents may be more susceptible to unsolicited approaches about home repairs and gardening work.
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) is urging people to be cautious and not to accept building and maintenance repair offers from cold callers with the launch of a doorstep selling campaign.
Hampshire Constabulary fully supports these messages, and has found that bogus doorstep traders often use a range of persuasive and emotional tactics to secure a fast sale and con people out of their money. For example, you may be made to feel that there is a great urgency in the offer and that if you don’t sign up now, you will miss out.
Detective Chief Inspector Pete Gallagher, South East Regional Lead for distraction burglary, said, “In short, our message is ‘if you’re not sure, don’t open the door’. Our aim is to support our communities and raise awareness of the risks of doorstep sellers and the tricks they use to get people to agree to house repairs. We want residents to have the courage to refuse making on the spot decisions about buying costly home repairs that they may not need.”
“It is not illegal for traders to canvas for work in this manner, and so rogue doorstep trading is an ongoing problem in the UK. Decisions made on the doorstep may result in you agreeing to work or a service that isn’t necessary, of a poor standard, much more expensive than quoted or not done at all – leaving you out of pocket and often in need of more expense to set the problem right. We are highlighting this issue to ensure that homeowners take the time to consider their decisions carefully, with the support of family and friends.”
According to advice service Consumer Direct, over 5,200 complaints were received last year about uninvited home maintenance traders. This summer, the OFT is reminding people to be cautious of doorstep sellers’ pitches.
For advice on doorstep selling, please contact Consumer Direct on08454 040 506 or visit www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/doorstepselling
For a choice of reliable local firms you can visit the ‘Buy With Confidence’ website at www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk or call Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.
Anyone who suspects a rogue trader is on their doorstep should contact the police immediately on 999, or call Hampshire County Council Trading Standards Quick Response Team (QRT) on 01962 833666. The QRT can head immediately to a caller’s home when alerted and intervene in cases of shoddy or overpriced work to protect residents from potentially handing over thousands of pounds.
Anyone with information that would lead to the arrest of any distraction burglar or rogue trader should ring the police on 101 or call Crimestoppers, the national charity, anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Crime Prevention Advice
- The key crime prevention message is: ‘Not sure? Don’t open the door’
- Check the identity of the caller by telephoning the company they are purporting to be from. Use the telephone numbers listed in your local directory or provided independently by your service provider.
- Check whether traders are members of the Local Authority Assured Trader Schemes (www.oft.gov.uk or the Buy With Confidence scheme (www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk).
- Ask a neighbour or friend nearby to check out the caller before you open the door to them or agree to have work done. Some areas in the country have “nominated neighbour schemes” you can sign up to. Check with your local police to find out if there is one in your area.
- Never pay cash upfront.
- Get three written quotes before choosing a trader.
- If you suspect a rogue trader caller is at your door dial 999.
