Trading Standards have also learned of an Ipswich resident who was approached by a trader advising their roof needed to be replaced.
A contract for £25,000 was agreed for the roof replacement and a further £2,500 for scaffolding to be erected. The resident paid £2,500 but as the scaffolding was being installed a neighbour, who is a structural engineer inspected the roof and was able to confirm no work was required.
Calls have also been received by residents across Suffolk from a company saying they need to come and inspect solar panels on the property. The trader is very forceful and aggressive, insisting that they will visit.
There are also reports of traders going door to door in Stanton, Bury St Edmunds, offering to clean the guttering of the property.
Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to remind people of what they should do should they be approached.
Trading Standards advice is to never agree to anything, including a home visit, when approached by a cold caller on the phone, at your door or via email. Do your research first and find out if it is a product or service that you want or require.
While it might be tempting to agree to low prices being offered on the doorstep, think twice. It’s an old adage but it still applies today – if it looks or sounds too good to be true then it’s because it is.
Never agree to have any work done because of a cold call, and don't be pressurised into having the job done immediately
If you think work needs doing to your home, get quotes from two or three traders. Ask friends and family for recommendations of traders who have carried out work for them. You can also check Suffolk Trusted Trader for traders that have been vetted and approved by us at https://trustedtrader.team/Suffolk/
Ask for the full name & address from a trader before considering dealing with them, and never rely solely on a mobile phone number
Ask for a written quotation detailing all the proposed work and a final price for the job BEFORE the work is started
Only pay in full once the work is completed to your satisfaction and don't pay cash
Please report all doorstep callers to Trading Standards via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.
In the case of doorstep cold callers, you can protect yourself and your neighbours by nominating your area to become a No Cold Calling Zone.
There are now more than 250 across the county, and while the more brazen cold callers will still try their luck the zones do act as a deterrent - 91% of residents surveyed last year said they had received less or no doorstep visits since the introduction of their zone, with 94% of residents saying they feel safer.
Anyone wishing to nominate their road should go to the No Cold Calling page on the Suffolk County Council website.
Or, if you would like to receive a free No Cold Calling sticker for your door, please email your address to trading.standards@suffolk.gov.uk.
Let’s be clear. These doorstep traders are ruthless.
They usually target the vulnerable and are very persuasive, delivering poor, shoddy work then all too often just disappear, leaving their victims out of pocket.
Similarly, scammers strike through phone calls, letters, emails, the internet or at your door.
The saddest part of it all is that victims are often left feeling a sense of shame and embarrassment, and they really should not - it can happen to anyone.
But by staying on our guard, for ourselves and for vulnerable family or friends, we can beat the scammers and rogue traders.
