Rogue traders: Council says be on your guard after 'spate' of incidents

Wirral Council wants residents to be aware of rogue traders, warning that they are often linked to distraction burglars and will target the elderly and vulnerable.

After a spate of recent complaints, the authority's Trading Standards officers are urging residents to look out for rogue traders offering to carry out repair or maintenance work.

The caller may use pressure tactics to tell the householder that repairs are urgently needed and that structural damage may result if work is not done there and then.

Worryingly, the activities of cold calling rogue traders are often linked to the activities of distraction burglars and there is evidence that it is the elderly and vulnerable who are deliberately targeted by this crime.

The council said residents should always say no to traders offering to carry out work who unexpectedly turn up on your doorstep.

Cold callers rarely give householders proper contact details or their legal rights to cancel the contract within 14 days.

People can feel pressured into agreeing to have work done and the cost often increases considerably from the original estimate, with the work poorly done, incomplete or unnecessary.

In the end, residents can end up having to fork out thousands of pounds to have the damage put right.

Cllr Liz Grey, chair of the council's Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee, said: "I'd urge people never to agree to work on the doorstep. If you think that work is needed to your property, get quotes from two or three recommended traders and compare them.

"Do not be forced into making a quick decision on your doorstep. Get everything in writing, including the business details, agreed price and work to be done before you agree to work being done – and do not pay by cash."

The Labour councillor added: "This type of crime is particularly abhorrent because of the vulnerability of the people they target and it is vitally important they are stopped in their tracks and, ideally, brought to justice."

Traders who cold call can be very difficult to trace so people are urged to contact Trading Standards as soon as possible – especially if the trader is still present.

You can contact Trading Standards on 0808 223 1133 or report any suspicious activity or vehicles to the police on 101.