Trading Standards has issued a warning to Park Home owners in Cornwall following a recent spate of visits from rogue tradesmen.
According to regional newspaper the Falmouth Packet, at least 13 incidents of rogue trading have been reported to the organisation, ranging from unauthorised leafleting to door-to-door sales offering DIY services such as guttering repairs and park home insulation.
Those that did go ahead with the services paid cash up front for the service, only to find that the jobs were carried out in a haphazard manner, the results were substandard and some services were not carried out at all.
“We regularly warn people to be suspicious of uninvited doorstep callers, particularly where they appear to be offering building or home improvement services,” Gary Webster, Trading Standards Officer, remarked to the newspaper. “These so called ‘traders’ generally prey on the vulnerable or elderly and do not provide the legally required seven day cooling off period with their paperwork. They will often pressure homeowners into having the work carried out by exaggerating the extent of any problems and offering a significant discount for cash. It is important not to be fooled by the fact that they use glossy leaflets, websites, sign-written vans; or that they tell you that they’ve just been working at your neighbours’ property.
“The itinerant nature of many of these traders makes it extremely difficult for homeowners to try and reclaim their money, or have the work put right. It is for that same reason that Trading Standards services find it challenging to bring these traders to justice. Educating people to refuse to deal with cold callers of this nature is the best way we can ensure that our communities are protected. Wherever possible we will work with Devon and Cornwall Police and other partner agencies to pursue any illegal activity, but we urge homeowners to exercise caution and report any suspicions to ourselves or the Police.”
Anyone that is approached by a suspected rogue trader should contact Trading Standards immediately on 0300 1234 191 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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