Rogue Traders

Uninvited callers

From time to time you may be visited by a salesperson who turns up unannounced. They may be trying to:

• persuade you to part with your money for overpaid goods, OR work to your home and garden, that may not have been necessary, and may be shoddily completed IF completed at all; or

• trick their way into your home so that they, or a 'hidden' accomplice, can steal from you - known as distraction burglary.

These 'cold calling' rogues appear in a number of guises. They can be men, women or children, and often pose as service engineers for the utility companies, council workers, or police officers. Sometimes they pretend to be business people selling door-to-door or might simply make out that they need your help in an emergency. The list of methods they use is endless.

They will use false identity cards and often dress the part, wearing high visibility jackets if they are pretending to be from the utility companies. They may be smartly dressed if they are using 'high pressure sales' techniques. They always have a story to get your attention, may make an offer they say 'you cannot afford to miss', or will play on your good nature. They are very convincing and extremely persuasive.

Don't become a victim

Practical steps you can take to make sure you do not become a victim:

• Make sure you lock or latch your front and rear doors when you are at home

• If you make an appointment to take place in your home, arrange for someone you know to be with you when you expect your caller

• Should your doorbell sound or someone knock on your door, ask yourself: Am I expecting anyone? Do they have an appointment?

• If someone has made an appointment to call at your home, before you open your door, ask him or her to place their identification through your letterbox or hold it against your window. Once you know the person's name and whom they work for make a check on their credentials by phoning the company

• If they do not have an appointment, and claim to be an official, ask them to return at a pre-arranged time which is convenient to you. This gives you time to check them out.

• If the "cold call" is from a trader tell them you are not interested and that they should go away.  It is not rude to talk to someone through your door. It is a sensible precaution, and genuine callers will understand.

• Some traders try to worry you by saying you need immediate repairs to your home, drive, garden etc. Do not simply take their 'word' for it. If you are worried, ask for an opinion from a local business, preferably recommended by friends or relatives. Alternatively you can contact Consumer Advice on 08454 04 05 06 for preshopping advice.

IF IN DOUBT KEEP THEM OUT!

To view the advice leaflet 'Strangers at the Door' - advice on how to deal with uninvited callers to your home - open the document attached to this page.

Solar 'cowboys'

Rogue traders are seeking to exploit the expanding and lucrative business in renewable home energy improvements, such as solar panels and wind turbines.  If you'd like some guidance, see our advice page on how to avoid these 'solar cowboys'.

Do you need further help or advice?

If you would like to know more, or if you are unfortunate enough to have become a victim of doorstep crime, please don't feel too embarrassed to report it to us through Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06, or to South Yorkshire Police on 01142 20 20 20.

By reporting it, you will almost certainly prevent this from happening to someone else.

OFT Doorstep Selling Campaign
The 2011-12 Office of Fair Trading Doorstep Selling Campaign aims to empower elderly or disabled consumers to make effective purchasing decisions when buying home repairs on their doorstep, and to reduce their vulnerability to rogue traders.  The website provides lots of information and materials to download, including a short video explaining the campaign.

Stranger at the Door Presentation
If you are a member of a group who you think would benefit from a 'Stranger at the Door' presentation, this can be arranged with the Community Safety team on 01302 736000.  The presentation can include scenario's acted out to visually help get the advice and message across, as well as making it entertaining.