Wrexham Trading Standards are asking residents, to be extra vigilant this summer. Concerns have been raised following a number of recent incidents of doorstep crime in the area, where elderly residents have been targeted via cold-calling. As a result Trading Standards Officers and local Police have conducted several rapid response visits to elderly resident’s homes to give advice and reassurance and to move on the tradesmen from the property before they have been coerced into handing over large sums of money.
In each incident the elderly person cold called at their home was typically advised that they had some loose or cracked roof tiles. They are persuaded to have the tiles replaced, usually for a small amount of money, such as £25 which they agree to. Once they have agreed for the work to go ahead, the trader then advises them that further urgent work needs carrying out, such as replacing rotting roof timbers or felting. The price of the work then escalates often into thousands of pounds and they feel pressurized into have the work done and hand over large sums of money for work that often didn’t need doing in the first place or is of little value.
Wrexham Trading Standards always advise never to go ahead and have work done immediately on the doorstep and never pay any money up front. You should always try to obtain a number of quotes from reputable traders before going ahead with any work. Reputable traders will always be happy to give you time to decide whether to go ahead with the work. Remember: –
- For a purchase of £35 or more at home you must be given a written notice setting out your legal entitlement to a 7 day cooling off period. The Notice must be in a set format. If you do not receive the correct Notice, or you are not given a written notice at all the contract is unenforceable and you do not have to pay any money.
- If you ask a trader to leave your property and they refuse to leave this is a criminal offence. Contact the Police and Trading Standards immediately.
If you see anyone acting suspiciously or if you’ve been the victim of a rogue trader then contact Consumer Direct Wales on 08454 040506; Welsh language line 08454 04 05 05. If a trader becomes abusive or you feel threatened contact the Police.
