‘Beware the dodgy doorstep traders’

REPORTS of doorstep cold call traders operating in Staffordshire have prompted a reminder to be vigilant.

The county council’s trading standards team and Staffordshire Police have received reports that doorstep bogus traders have been cold calling on households offering convincing deals on various household jobs and repairs.

And with Storm Eunice likely to have caused some damage to properties, some doorstep criminals may see this as an opportunity to make some money offering to carry out repairs.

Doorstep dodgy traders rarely provide paperwork so they can’t be traced once they’ve left people’s homes. Names, addresses and business details are often false and telephone numbers don’t get answered.

Householders are being advised to protect themselves and to never: Agree for work on their house or garden by someone who knocks at their door uninvited; give money to or sign any forms for people who turn up on their doorstep; open the door to strangers and invite them into their home; let somebody take them to the bank to take money out.

Victoria Wilson, Staffordshire

County Council’s cabinet member responsible for trading standards, pictured, said: “Keeping communities safe is our priority and this includes protecting people from doorstep crime. Our team has received several reports of suspected rogue traders and we are reminding people to be aware. “People should never agree to have work carried out from someone knocking on their door. You should also not give out bank details or PIN and never transfer money out of your bank account if asked to do so.”