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Avoid bogus callers and rogue traders
Bogus callers are
unscrupulous doorstep sellers who target vulnerable
residents. They tend to approach elderly
people by turning up at their
homes unannounced. Once they have the attention of
their target, they either:
- sell them substandard/overpriced goods and/or services; or
- rob their target using what are known as distraction
techniques.
Have you seen bogus callers in your area?
If you suspect that doorstep conmen may be working in your area
or you are having difficulty with someone currently
working on your house, call the Trading standards Rapid Enforcement
Action Team (REACT) who can help:
- Landline: 020 8708 5270
- Consumer Direct: 08454 04 05 06
- If you are in any sort of danger as a result of a
bogus call, telephone 999.
The Council has a list of Trading Standards Approved Traders to
enable you to trust in traders who have signed up to and listed on
the Buy With Confidence (BWC) scheme.
All the businesses on this BWC site have been vetted and approved
(disclaimer) by Trading Standards to ensure that they operate in a
legal, honest and fair way.
Deter bogus callers, join the Doorstep Calling Restricted Zones (
DCRZ
) scheme.
How to protect yourself from bogus callers
| Lock |
Always keep your back and front door locked when you are at
home or even if you just pop out for a brief moment. |
|
Stop
|
If there is someone at your door, stop and think whether you are
expecting anyone. Always ensure that the back door
is locked before answering the front door.
This will make sure that nobody can access your house via
another entrance when you are distracted.
|
|
Chain
|
If you decide to open the door, always put the door
bar or chain on first. Keep the chain on while you talk to
the person on the doorstep.
When the door is closed, remove the chain just in case you
need to escape quickly.
|
|
Check
|
If a stranger wants to enter your house and claims that they
are an official from a utility company, local authority or any
other organisation, always ask for ID. If
they are genuine, they will be more than happy to show you their
ID. Do not open the door, or release it from the
chain or latch, until you have verified that their ID is
genuine.
If they do not show you their ID, or the ID that they show
you looks suspicious, shut the door, tell them that you will
not let them in.
If they continue to hassle you, tell them that you
are calling the police.
If they refuse to leave, pick up the phone and call
the police direct on 999.
|
Are they contactable?
Know who you are dealing with even if you have used them before
– use a BWC trader. The Business Names Act requires the business
trading under a name other than the true name of the owner to
disclose their ownership details, eg their full name including
their surname, their full corporate name including Limited, and an
address where documents can be served which does not have to be the
home address and for companies is the usual registered office
address.
Have they given you the right paperwork?
Check the paperwork and get a quote before work starts.
Have they given you a 7 day cancellation notice? Failure to do is a
crminal offence, with exceptions.
Are they asking for payment up front?
Don’t pay cash up front even if urgent – getting it in writing
to agree before work starts.
Are they pressure selling?
Don’t let them intimidate or pressure you even if they are
aggressive – say no. This is now banned as unfair trading.
Do you have extra protection?
Use credit card payment for amounts above £100 to pursue any
claim with the credit card company in case you cannot track the
builder down.
Consumers are not legally entitled to a cooling off period for
contracts made in a public place. A recent case decided in
the European Court of Justice suggests that traders canvassing for
sales through inviting consumers to attend presentations at
temporary venues such as hotels should provide notice of
cancellation rights.
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