Warning after reports of rogue traders in Staffordshire

Staffordshire County Council’s trading standards team has received reports that doorstep criminals have been cold calling on households offering convincing deals to try to get them to agree owners to having work carried out.

The prices charged are excessive and the trading standards team is warning that if householders accept work from a doorstep criminal, they will pay much more than intended and the work is often very poor, unnecessary and sometimes dangerous.

Doorstep criminals rarely provide paperwork so they cannot be traced once they have left people’s homes. Names, addresses and business details are often false and telephone numbers do not get answered.

Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for communities and culture Victoria Wilson said: “It is a priority to the county council to ensure people are safe and feel safe and we want people to protect themselves against doorstep crime. Reputable builders, roofers and gardeners do not cold call. People needing work done on their homes should always get three quotes, never pay up front and should not pay by cash.

“If anyone buys goods from someone on their doorstep costing more than £42, the law states that they have 14 days to change their minds and ask for money back. This is known as the cooling off period. People should never give out bank details or PIN and never transfer money out of their bank account if asked to do so for security reasons.

“If anyone is you unsure sure about the caller they should ask them to make an appointment to come back when a friend or family member can be with them.”