Warning of fraudulent traders as winter approaches

A number of fraudulent door-to-door traders are beginning to offer home improvement services as the threat of cold weather grows.

Although doorstep selling is not in itself illegal, it has led to a number of complaints, which increased by 16% last year compared with 2008.

Consumer Direct, the advice line, said that 2009 saw some 5,300 complaints about doorstep offers of home maintenance work.

Age UK and the Office of Fair Trading launched a new awareness campaign on Monday, highlighting three particular areas.

1. Roof repairs. With the elderly unable to check their own roofs, dodgy traders claim to have spotted a problem that needs attention.
2. Cavity wall insulation. Rogue traders claim the work will save the owners money, but high prices or even non-existent work give the lie to this.
3. Driveways. After offering to lay a driveway, fraudsters often march the customer to the cash point, then disappear with the money having done no work.

Helena Herklots of Age UK said: “We want to raise awareness of rogue doorstep traders offering services to prepare homes before bad weather sets in.

"Although crime against older people is less likely than other age groups, rogue doorstep traders often target those who are older or more vulnerable, so it is important to be aware of the risks."

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