Vigilance warning as rogue traders operate in south Wales

South Wales Police have had reports of small groups of rogue traders operating in our area, offering work and using a variety of clever tactics to pressurise you into buying something you don’t want or need, or that’s poor value for money.

These frauds can include overpriced or substandard home maintenance or improvements, and, in some local cases, groups of traders have pulled down existing guttering, before offering their services – for a fee – to fix it.

And there have been reports of these rogue traders sending their victim to the bank, or even taking them there themselves, to get payment for their ‘work’.

Please be alert to the dangers of people going door to door offering work such as paving, guttering, gardening, tree cutting, or all sorts of other labour.

You should never travel with anyone you don’t know to a bank or ATM to withdraw money, or similarly anywhere else for any other form of payment.

If you’re approached by someone you suspect may be a rogue trader, check their credentials, including a permanent business address and landline telephone number. The mobile phone numbers given on business cards are often pay-as-you-go numbers which are virtually impossible to trace.

However, please remember that rogue traders may try to provide false identity or contact information. And if you pay them in advance, you won’t get your money back.

It’s also always worth being wary of opening your door to a potential burglar or someone who wants to get inside your property to enable other people to break in. Once they get through your door, fraudulent salespeople can take note of your valuables and any security measures you have in place.

If you’ve been a victim of bogus or rogue traders, report it to police or to Action Fraud. You can also report the salesperson to Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133, or to the National Trading Standards if you believe they’ve sold you faulty, inferior or overpriced products or services.

Our advice:

• Take control by asking the questions. Ask for references from previous customers or to see examples of their work.
• Don’t sign on the spot – shop around. Get at least three written quotes to make sure you’re not being ripped off.
• If in any doubt, ask the person to leave or call the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133.
• If you’re suspicious, you could ask the salesman if you can take their photograph, for example on your mobile phone. If the person is legitimate, they probably won’t mind.

If you do decide to buy:

never pay for work before it has been completed, and only then if you are happy with it.

always get any agreement you make in writing

beware when filling in forms or when speaking to the salesperson, that you don’t reveal confidential details that a fraudster could use to assume your identity or take control of your finances. This may allow a fraudster to steal money from your account or order goods and services in your name

think very carefully about having any work done or goods delivered during the cooling off period. You may have to pay, even if you change your mind.