A warning has been issued over cold callers targeting households as lockdown restrictions ease.
North Yorkshire Trading Standards and North Yorkshire Police have united to remind residents to be wary of people offering property repairs and gardening work.
It is the latest in a series of warnings issued over scams being carried out during the Covid-19 lockdown. Previously, Trading Standards have warned about scams involving supplies of PPE and hand sanitiser, and false testing and cures for the virus.
However, the authority said reports of crime had been “starkly absent” as people’s movements were restricted from March onwards. Cllr Andrew Lee, executive member for trading standards, said:
“We know these offenders are always on the lookout opportunities to defraud the elderly and vulnerable, but their ability to do so has been curtailed in recent weeks due to the lockdown provisions.
“We are very concerned that they will soon be back out and about cold calling vulnerable residents and trying to persuade them to have roofing, driveway, pressure washing, gardening and other work undertaken.
“Our message is very clear. Residents should not deal with doorstep callers.”
Police and trading standards officers said doorstep scams often include extreme overcharging for work, claiming work is required when it is not, poor quality work or damage to properties, and not providing any contact details for the person carrying out the work. In some cases, elderly and vulnerable residents are driven to the bank by the offender, to withdraw cash to pay for the work.
Police have warned residents to be wary of doorstep scams
Officers have advised residents considering having work done to get three quotations from local traders – ideally recommended by friends or family – and to take their time before making a decision. Anyone having work done has a statutory right to cancel the contract within 14 days.
Where that is not possible, they should approach traders for quotations through a trusted website, such as the County Council’s North Yorkshire Buy Local.
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DI Jon Hodgeon of North Yorkshire Police said:
“We’ve seen a number of scammers taking advantage of coronavirus and lockdown to target individuals but there are ways everyone can protect themselves.
We advise never to open the door to anyone you don’t know and certainly never invite a stranger into your home without verifying their identity first. An individual claiming to be a representative of an organisation should be more than happy to show you their ID card and even for you to ring their company to double check.
“High-pressure techniques or requests for money should raise immediate alarm bells. Remember, you do not have to open the door to cold callers and you have every right to ask them to leave.”
Doorstep traders can be reported to Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133, or to the Police on 101, or 999 in emergency situations.