Over the last couple of weeks instances of Bogus Builders have increased – specifically with regards to Roofing scams in the north of Hillingdon Borough.
Bogus Builders or Rogue Traders are people who turn up unannounced with the intention of tricking people either by high pressure selling or using false ID’s. They may offer to inspect the structure of your building and come to you with an initial problem quoting a reasonable cost for repair and when you have entered an agreement, the cost then increases considerably.
If someone calls at your door and offers to do repairs to your home or asks to come in you should do the following:
Lock the door – Think are you expecting anybody – Put your chain on the door to prevent them using force to gain entry – Ask for ID and official headed paperwork with head office contact details on it so you can make you on enquiries.
Ask the caller to make an appointment to come back later when you have some else in the house and also to give you time to check their details to establish if they are a legitimate company.�
The elderly and people living in isolation are often targeted by these unscrupulous practices of one sort or another:
– Paying an exorbitant price for house repairs and garden maintenance;
– Having to pay cash in full before the job is completed;
– Being left with an incomplete job or substandard work;
– Refusal from the trader to finish the job or undertake necessary repairs;
– Insufficient contact details to get the job finished. You may only be given a mobile telephone number and when contact is attempted you are unable to get through;
– Having possessions stolen.
Never pay for anything before the agreed work is completed and to your satisfaction. If you think work needs to be done then get quotes from other local companies and ask friends and relatives for recommendations. Never agree to have work done by someone who is just passing or take their word that work needs to be done.
If you encounter any such problems contact your local Safer Neighbourhood Team. Details can be found on www.met.police.uk and the Crime Prevention Officer Stuart Read who can be contacted on 0208 246 1822