Officers from the Shared Trading Standards Service working with colleagues from Thames Valley Police have been out and about across West Berkshire in June as part of an operation to identify and deal with any businesses that deliberately overcharge for unsatisfactory goods and services in the area.
Focussing on areas where intelligence has been received, officers engaged eleven traders to make sure that they are aware of the paperwork they legally need to provide to their customers and the customers rights including the fourteen day cooling off period. Of those companies checked only four were found to have been supplying the correct paperwork.
In one case officers came across an 88 year old resident who lived alone. The resident had paid £12,000 to a trader who was now demanding £76,000 for roofing work. The consumer had originally been quoted £29,000. Officers assisted the consumer by supporting them with negotiations and the case is now the subject of further investigation and enquiries.
During the operation traders who were identified cold calling were stopped at the consumers’ doors preventing them from charging the residents £1,400 for unnecessary work. Its likely that this amount would have increased as these traders often increase the costs once the work has started.
Officers also identified four properties where rogue trader activity had already taken place. The works had cost in excess of £30,000.
Officers also issued one written caution for having no waste transfer notice. You must check that anyone you pass your waste to holds the relevant registration, permit or exemption for the type of waste you pass to them.
These operations are designed to disrupt unfair trading and identify other illegal behaviour and a further 6 intelligence reports were submitted as part of the successful partnership working that took place.
Martin Woodley, Principal Trading Standards Officer said, “Trading Standards Officers and the Police regularly work together and share intelligence to tackle unfair trading and fraud. While the vast majority of businesses operate lawfully and fairly there will always be some who take advantage of their customers to try and turn a quick profit. These businesses can also disadvantage those operating within the law’.
This operation is part of a series of activity across Bracknell, Wokingham and West Berkshire area designed to protect our residents and prevent becoming the victims of people who trick them into spending vast sums of money, often their life savings, for unnecessary and overpriced work.
We encourage residents if they have any concerns about this type of activity to contact us. If there is a crime in progress they should contact the Police immediately.
You can find out more about setting up No Cold Calling Zones here on the PPP website: No Cold Calling Zones - PPP (publicprotectionpartnership.org.uk)
If you or someone you know has fallen victim to unfair trading or fraud like this you should report it to the Citizens Advice consumer service helpline by calling 0808 223 1133.
