The Isle of Wight Council’s Trading Standards Service is once again warning Island consumers and businesses of cold calling by rogue traders.
The rogue traders have been offering to carry out various home improvement work including gardening, cleaning roofs and driveways, tarmacking drives and jet washing patios and paths. This latest warning comes after cold callers offering to tarmac drives were on the island this week and used the tactic that they were working with Island Roads, which was not the case.
These con men often call on vulnerable and elderly residents but the council is warning businesses to be vigilant as well, due to some work being offered at business premises. Commonly, cold callers are unqualified conmen who charge extortionate amounts of money for little or no work done at all along with the prices being very misleading and demanding immediate payment.
The Trading Standards Service is warning residents to be aware that these businesses are operating on the Island, and to be extremely careful, before even discussing any work that the trader may suggest requires doing.
Cllr Gary Peace, the Isle of Wight Council Cabinet member for community safety and public protection said:
“These conmen offer services including gardening work, house maintenance, driveways, steam cleaning roofs, to name a few.
“The council’s trading standards team is committed, with the support of the police, to protecting Island residents and will take enforcement action, including prosecution, against rogue traders.”
Julie Woodhouse, trading standards manager, said:
“Island residents should always be very wary of rogue traders who will cold call, as in our experience, they are often unqualified conmen who will overcharge for unnecessary repairs/services which will be of poor quality.
“Legislation protecting consumers requires cold callers to give consumers a ‘Cancellation Notice’, giving them 14 days to cancel the contract made for over £42. Failure to issue a cancellation notice in the correct format is a criminal offence.”
Steve Ambrose, Island Roads business manager, said:
“Island Roads does not ‘doorstep sell’. Any materials used on the Island’s roads is carefully accounted for and used solely across the scope of our work. If you are in any doubt about the legitimacy of anyone claiming to work for or with us, please contact our call centre immediately on (01983) 822440 or, alternatively, contact Trading Standards.”
Tops tips to avoid rogue traders
• NEVER pay upfront to cold callers
• If you require work to be carried out at your home, try to obtain at least two written quotes
• Check the Trading Standards’ trader approval scheme, where local traders are vetted for compliance with consumer legislation, at www.iwight.com/IOWtraderAs
• Please be vigilant for your elderly or vulnerable neighbours
• Report your concerns to the Police or the Trading Standards Service hotline on (01983) 823371
For further information on the Council’s Isle of Wight Trader Approval Scheme, contact 01983 823000 or head over to www.iwight.com/IOWtraderAs.
