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25
Mar
Rogue trader warning after cold caller targets property in Ripon
North Yorkshire Council has issued a rogue trader warning after a cold caller who claimed to work for the local authority targeted a property in Ripon.
The council’s trading standards officers are advising people and organisations not to agree to work from tradespeople who knock on their doors uninvited offering building or maintenance services.
The warning follows an incident in Ripon last week where a cold caller targeted a property while claiming be working with the council’s highways team and offered to repair the driveway with what he said was leftover road laying material.
But the resident was reported to have been misled about the price, which led to a disagreement between the two parties.
The shaken resident reported the matter to the council’s trading standards department and North Yorkshire Police.
Cllr Greg White, the authority's executive member for trading standards, said:
This was a worrying incident where somebody turned up at the front door of an address offering to carry out driveway work while falsely claiming to be working for the council.
Our contractors will never cold call or dispose of unused materials in this way. I would urge everyone to help spread this important message and make sure your loved ones, especially those who may be vulnerable or live alone, are aware.
Cold callers often take advantage of residents by putting them under pressure when offering work on their doorstep. They can often be forceful and intimidating to those who encounter them.
Our advice is always to close the door on them, do not agree to any work or hand over any personal details. If you feel threatened or the callers refuse to leave, then you should not hesitate to call the police on 999.
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