15 April 2009
This bulletin is intended to raise awareness of the presence of suspected Rogue Traders who are posing as Trading Standards Officers offering to arrange rebates for unsatisfactory paving services. Incidents have been reported since 1st April 2009 and have been reported to the Regional Intelligence Unit on 9th April 2009.
Gwent and South Wales Police report a number of suspicious incidents where male suspects are calling at addresses unannounced claiming to be from local Trading Standards Services.
Target addresses have had work on driveways by unknown other Rogue Traders and the bogus Trading Standards Officer highlights the poor quality of the work. This person then invites the occupier to pay a significant cash deposit (in one case £900) as an 'admin fee' with a promise that it will be returned along with the balance of the original money paid to the Rogue Trader.
There is clear knowledge amongst the criminal community involved that the addresses have been targeted before for Rogue Trading criminality with a number of OCGs involved.
This is a clear scam and an emerging trend, which could be replicated across the Region.
Legitimate Trading Standards Officers are:
- Never take cash from consumers
- Always in possession of their local authority identification
- Normally make an appointment to see the occupier
Further assistance is available at the RIU through the Regional Distraction Burglary Co-ordinator Eric Kendall 01656 310205 or 07970 381768.
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