On your guard for cold callers
aNo legitimate trader calls unannounced, so never under any circumstances do business with them.
That’s worth remembering because there’s been a rash of dodgy doorstep traders across the country.
In East Sussex, Trading Standards have warned about cold callers offering a home insulation scheme and lying about it being backed by the council.
South Tyneside Trading Standards have reported supposed charity collectors knocking on doors.
“When asked, they have been unable to provide a valid form of identification or any literature about their ‘charity’,” says the watchdog.
Cumbria Trading Standards has warned of cold callers trying to persuade residents to switch energy suppliers and saying they are endorsed by consumer champion Martin Lewis of website moneysavingexpert.com.
He says: “This company is nothing to do with MoneySavingExpert and nothing to do with me.”
A Devon home improvement company has said that cold callers are using its name without permission to flog wall coatings, adding: “If a company needs to knock on your door and beg for work, they are probably cowboys.”
Cowboy gardeners preying on the elderly have struck in Herefordshire.
Trading Standards in Hillingdon, Greater London, say roofing and gutter repair traders have called uninvited on vulnerable residents.
Police in Cambridgeshire have received reports of a gang knocking on doors using aggressive tactics to sell garden furniture.
Surrey Police have reported men knocking on doors and trying to buy watches from mainly older residents, urging: “Please look out for vulnerable neighbours.”
Which is good advice at any time of the year.