Consumer Alerts – March 2024
Beware driveway services.
Reports have been received of cold callers in the Thornton Cleveleys area knocking on doors offering to clean your driveway or patio and, in some cases, offering to tarmac or re pave your driveway. Always shop around, get three quotes, and always use know local traders.
Beware cold callers offering tree cutting services.
Reports have been received in the Ribble Valley area of cold callers offering tree and shrub cutting services. Concerns of very poor work and excessive costs, which sometimes escalate after the work has been done have been detailed. Be wary of contacting services via flyers, use known local trades people.
Beware bogus roof repairers.
A resident in the Kirkham area hired a roofer, who was delivering flyers advertising his services, to carry out a reroof to their home, only to have the job
escalate with extra work allegedly required to strengthen the roof and stop leaks. After £1000’s had been obtained from the householder, they were targeted by another roofer who purported to be able to rectify issues left by the previous roofer. It is suspected that the second roofer was working in conjunction with the initial scammers. The householder did not part with any further monies.
Information about current scams can be found at Facebook www.facebook.com/StanleyDards/
Guttering scam.
A resident in the Fulwood area, after contacting a trader from an online trader platform, agreed to work to their guttering and dry verges. The trader asked for full payment upfront, claiming it was for materials and then only partially completed the work which will now cost the householder around £500 to have rectified and finished.
Please be wary of traders who ask for payment up front and can begin the job straightaway. Use caution when dealing with online trader platforms – carry out independent checks, look online for any reviews and always get more than one quote for the work.
Cold callers offering repair work.
Reports have been received regarding a man aged 30s/40s, cold calling vulnerable residents in the Clitheroe area, misleading them as to work required. In one case he claimed there were loose slates on the roof, in another case, that the gutters were blocked. The claims were untrue in both cases. Fortunately, neither resident contracted with this trader.
Trading Standards advice is to always say no to cold callers. The Safetrader scheme can help you find a trader in your area, contact 0303 333 1111 or go to www.safetrader.org.uk. Contact the Trading Standards Service via the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133.
Action Fraud can be contacted via www.actionfraud.police.uk or on 0300 123 2040
