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06
Jul 2021
Last Updated: 06/07/2021
Bogus roofers attempt to scam Harrogate's elderly
Police are aware of three cases of bogus roofers targeting Harrogate recently. The conmen try to persuade victims their roof is in need of repair and sometimes even produce rotten wood and felt as part of their deceit.
Police today issued a warning about a spate of bogus roofers targeting elderly and vulnerable residents in Harrogate.
North Yorkshire Police said in a statement it was investigating whether three Harrogate incidents were linked to other suspected scams in Wetherby and Middlesbrough.
It said:
"Typically, in cases like these, a bogus tradesperson will cold call a victim by turning up on their doorstep unannounced and offering to clean their guttering for a small sum.
"However, the trickster will claim to the victim that they have found extensive damage to their roof requiring immediate attention.
They may even show the victim rotten wood and felt, convincing the victim that it has come from their roof. In reality, the rotten wood and felt will have been brought in by the roofer as part of the elaborate deceit designed to con the victim into agreeing expensive and unnecessary roofing work that they don’t need."
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Officers urged people not to accept work by cold callers or let themselves be pressured into agreeing to have work done.
They also asked people to to keep an eye on elderly or vulnerable family members, as fraudsters preyed on the most vulnerable.
If you want to report an incident involving a rogue tradespeople, use the Report It link or call North Yorkshire Police on 101 with reference number 12180015933.
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