Vale of Glamorgan residents are being warned to beware of rogues offering to check homes for frozen pipes.
Trading standards have received reports of vulnerable consumers being visited by criminals claiming to be from a water company and, once they’ve gained access into the home, the householder is distracted in the kitchen or bathroom while the burglars make away with valuables.
The Trading Standards Institute (TSI) warning comes as water companies reveal they are taking a record number of calls – three to four times more than the winter average. Frozen pipes and leaks are the main complaints.
Vale Council senior trading standards officer David Sanders, who is chairman of TSI, said: “The unscrupulous take their opportunities in adversity and we know conmen are taking advantage of widespread problems with plumbing that the freezing weather conditions have caused.
“We are urging consumers to be vigilant with any trader turning up on their doorstep uninvited. Should they need repairs or checks carried out we’d advise them to call their water supplier and arrange for an engineer to visit by appointment.”
Consumers are also advised to check schemes such as Trustmark and Buy with Confidence to find a reputable trader for repairs. Other tips to avoid falling victim to rogues include:
- Use a trader recommended by friends or family
- Get three quotes
- Do not use a trader who just turns up on your doorstep or leaves a leaflet; they could be anyone.
Should anyone have doubts about the credentials of a trader knocking on their door they should take up as many details as they can, including the registration number on the vehicle, and report them to their local trading standards service or the police.
