Warning against quake cold-callers
05-03-2008 23:34 by David Cragg (admin)
Following this week’s earthquake, householders across North Yorkshire are being warned urgently to guard against unscrupulous rogue traders cold-calling and claiming their houses have been damaged and need essential maintenance work carrying out.
North Yorkshire County Council Trading Standards and Regulatory Services and North Yorkshire Police are issuing the warning after a spate of such incidents in the last few days.
Trading Standards and the Police are also asking residents to report immediately any doorstep traders cold-calling in their areas, including, if possible, registration numbers of vehicles, business names and descriptions of individuals involved.
The County Council’s Trading Standards officers have been working with the Police to tackle doorstep offenders of this type throughout the County for a number of years. However, despite their efforts, rogue traders continue to target communities and often the most vulnerable members of society. These activities often increase following events such as earthquakes, floods and high winds.
The public are being warned to treat with caution any trader cold-calling offering to do roofing work, tiling, or any other property repairs or services.
Trading Standards and the Police are advising people not to deal with doorstep callers, but to take advice from local, reputable traders and, where possible, obtain a number of quotes before deciding to go ahead with work.
They are also requesting members of the community to look out for older adults or other vulnerable people to help protect them from traders of this type.
The County Council’s Executive Member for Trading Standards and Regulatory Services Cllr Clare Wood said: “Sadly despicable rogue traders such as these are prepared to take advantage of people’s misfortune resulting from weather conditions or natural events, as well as targeting vulnerable members of our community. We are committed to tackling crime of this type in our area and working together with North Yorkshire Police to bring offenders to justice.”
Don't forget, Kirk Smeaton and Little Smeaton are No Cold Call Zones.
Anyone wishing to report a doorstep caller should call North Yorkshire Trading Standards on 08454 04 05 06 or North Yorkshire Police on 0845 60 60 247.
Householders wanting further advice from Trading Standards or a “No Doorstep Callers” sticker can also contact them on 08454 04 05 06.
North Yorkshire County Council Trading Standards and Regulatory Services and North Yorkshire Police are issuing the warning after a spate of such incidents in the last few days.
Trading Standards and the Police are also asking residents to report immediately any doorstep traders cold-calling in their areas, including, if possible, registration numbers of vehicles, business names and descriptions of individuals involved.
The County Council’s Trading Standards officers have been working with the Police to tackle doorstep offenders of this type throughout the County for a number of years. However, despite their efforts, rogue traders continue to target communities and often the most vulnerable members of society. These activities often increase following events such as earthquakes, floods and high winds.
The public are being warned to treat with caution any trader cold-calling offering to do roofing work, tiling, or any other property repairs or services.
Trading Standards and the Police are advising people not to deal with doorstep callers, but to take advice from local, reputable traders and, where possible, obtain a number of quotes before deciding to go ahead with work.
They are also requesting members of the community to look out for older adults or other vulnerable people to help protect them from traders of this type.
The County Council’s Executive Member for Trading Standards and Regulatory Services Cllr Clare Wood said: “Sadly despicable rogue traders such as these are prepared to take advantage of people’s misfortune resulting from weather conditions or natural events, as well as targeting vulnerable members of our community. We are committed to tackling crime of this type in our area and working together with North Yorkshire Police to bring offenders to justice.”
Don't forget, Kirk Smeaton and Little Smeaton are No Cold Call Zones.
Anyone wishing to report a doorstep caller should call North Yorkshire Trading Standards on 08454 04 05 06 or North Yorkshire Police on 0845 60 60 247.
Householders wanting further advice from Trading Standards or a “No Doorstep Callers” sticker can also contact them on 08454 04 05 06.