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Beware of dodgy doorstep
traders, residents warned
WIRRAL Trading Standards are warning
residents to be on their guard if approached by cold callers offering any type
of property maintenance. This comes after several reports to Merseyside Police
and Wirral Trading Standards of incidents of doorstep crime targeting elderly
residents that have occurred recently in the Wallasey, Pensby and Oxton areas.
These have involved traders offering guttering, roofing and driveway work or
maintenance.
Trading Standards advice to residents is to never buy services or goods from
businesses that make contact out of the blue, such as traders knocking on the
door, or responding to leaflets put through your letterbox.
Cllr Phillip Brightmore, Wirral Council Cabinet member for Environment, said:-
"Unfortunately, there are many unscrupulous people who use cold calling as
a method to defraud money from residents by undertaking unnecessary or
overpriced work. Often, the quality of the work is also very poor or ineffective
and it can be difficult to make contact with the traders should there be issues
in the future.
For all your goods and services it is better to deal with reputable traders
operating out of fixed premises who you know and trust.
Please do not agree to work offered by unsolicited doorstep callers as the risks
are high; take time to get 3 quotes from reputable businesses you trust and make
your decision on who to use in your own time. Please be vigilant for yourself
and your neighbours, particularly if elderly."
If you or someone you know is faced with cold callers please contact Trading
Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on:- 03454 04 05 06 or visit:-
AdviceGuide.Org.UK or contact
Merseyside Police on:- 101.
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