Close the door on bogus callers and rogue traders

With summer continuing to sizzle, don’t get caught cold by doorstep criminals.

That’s the message to residents from East Dunbartonshire Council’s Trading Standards service, which has received reports of suspected rogue traders in the area.

With the warmer weather, you might have had an unexpected caller offering to carry out roofing/guttering work, tidy your garden or clean your drive.

The advice is to say ‘no’ to doorstep traders and cold callers – you could end up out of pocket. Only use reputable firms you have researched and chosen.

If you're planning to call in the experts – from plumbers and builders to bathroom fitters and roofers – the East Dunbartonshire Trusted Trader scheme has got you covered.

The initiative – which is supported by the Council, Police Scotland, Trading Standards and Consumer Advice Scotland – provides access to a list of local and reputable, vetted businesses.

You can search for Trusted Traders via the website as well as viewing feedback and comments left by previous customers.

Key advice for residents:

• Not everyone is who they seem – only use reputable companies and try to get three quotes. When in doubt, ask friends/family or use official schemes such as East Dunbartonshire Trusted Trader
• Don’t allow anyone you’re not expecting to enter your home or carry out work
• Often, dodgy callers will claim to be already working in the area, or for one of your neighbours, and may start with a relatively small job to gain ‘trust’. Don’t agree to more work on the spot, don’t pay in advance and never pay for work done without your permission
• Hang up on telephone scams – they may claim to be from an official organisation, such as the Council, or they might say you are entitled to free energy grants. If it's too good to be true then it likely is
• Watch out for fake claims and reviews – is the review website legitimate and can claims be backed up with evidence?
• Delete unsolicited and spam email – from insulation grants to ‘lotto wins’ – never reply to a spam/suspicious email and do not open links in suspicious emails. Do your own research and contact firms directly.

If you ever feel threatened or pressured, please say ‘no’ and contact Police Scotland on 101 (999 in an emergency) or Trading Standards on 0300 123 4510. Information can also be passed on to Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111.

Councillor Paul Ferretti, Convener of the Council's Place, Neighbourhood and Corporate Assets Committee, said, “Taking some simple precautions can help you to avoid falling victim to bogus callers, fraudsters and rogue traders.

"Please don't feel pressured into making decisions quickly – legitimate traders will be comfortable returning at a later date, which gives you a chance to carry out your own research.

“If you're planning to have work done on your property, check out the East Dunbartonshire Trusted Trader website where you can search for a business and view comments from previous customers. It's also the place to go if you're a local company and interested in joining the scheme.”

The Trusted Trader initiative is centred around a Code of Practice, which covers:

• Transparent procedures for quoting and carrying out work
• Only charging a fair and reasonable price
• Dealing with complaints promptly.

The Council’s Trading Standards service is responsible for overseeing the initiative locally – vetting prospective members, regularly examining business practices, and monitoring reviews and feedback.

For more advice and tips, please visit our consumer advice webpage  and visit the Police Scotland website.

Further advice:

• Be wary if someone turns up at your property unexpectedly. If you’re not sure, don’t answer the door. Don’t feel embarrassed – genuine callers expect you to be careful
• Don’t allow anyone you’re not expecting to enter your home or to carry out work. Only let callers in if they have an appointment and you have confirmed they are genuine – ALWAYS ask for official identification
• Check if your home insurance covers you
• Don’t ‘panic buy’ or be pressured into making a quick decision – legitimate traders will be comfortable returning at a later date, allowing you to research their business
• Get quotes from reputable, trusted traders (multiple quotes where possible)
• Use personal recommendations from people you know who have used the trader before (not just social media)
• Get a fixed price and schedule of works in writing. Agree what will be done, when and who by. Know who you are dealing with – not just first names
• If it’s not an emergency repair then use your 14 days 'cooling-off' period to think about it
• Be wary of traders who claim they can start immediately, but demand large sums of cash or a bank transfer up front. Never agree to pay in advance for work yet to be carried out
• Keep front and back doors locked (and windows), and use a door chain or bar when answering the door. Use the door viewer or a nearby window when answering the door
• If you decide to have work done, make staged payments, do not keep excess cash in the house and where possible pay via credit card/bank transfer – ensuring the recipient account is in the name of the trader you are dealing with
• Please look out for others in your community and report suspicious activity immediately
• Check if the trader is registered at Companies House 
• Sign up for Neighbourhood Watch Scotland alerts via the website.