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Don't be duped on your own doorstep
It's not just the elderly and vulnerable who are being conned out of their savings by people offering them a good deal on their doorstep.
New figures have revealed in the first nine months of this year, 342 people in the East Midlands made a complaint to the Government about rogue traders and Northamptonshire County Council took action against more than 100 of them in 2008-09.
But steps are being taken to combat the conmen and on Monday the Office of Fair Trading launched a campaign called Your Doorstep, Your Decision.
Michele Shambrook, of the Office of Fair Trading, said from January to September the Government had 4,000 complaints relating to rogue traders.
She said: "Hasty decisions made on the doorstep can sometimes result in agreeing to work that isn't necessary, that turns out to be more expensive than quoted or that's carried out to a poor standard, if it's done at all.
"We want people to recognise the warning signs, and to feel confident enough to take appropriate precautions and say no. Remember, it is your doorstep, your decision.
"Typically, rogue traders will try to find common ground with a homeowner and use deceptive and misleading claims. Some may falsely claim to be endorsed by a trade association or a local council.
"Victims may also be made to feel that there is a great sense of urgency in the offer, and if they don't sign up, they'll miss out."
In the East Midlands the most common complaint is related to traders trying to sell roofing services, followed by tarmac and paving and then fascias.
To tackle the problem Northamptonshire County Council's trading standards department has increased its actions against rogue traders by 46 per cent since 2002, with one man jailed for 30 months last year after conning an elderly disabled man by charging him 3,500 for work on his roof which should have cost 350.
But a poll of 2,036 UK residents by YouGov showed one in every 17 people have been conned by a fake trader in their homes and in the East Midlands the average lost by those who fall victim is 260.
Beat the conmen
The Office of Fair Trading is advising people to follow this advice:
It is your doorstep, your decision
Be wary of special offers or warnings about your home
Do not hand over a cash deposit
Do not agree to a trader starting any work straight away
Take time to consult with someone you trust for a second opinion - speak to friends, family or neighbours before making any decision
If in doubt call Consumer Direct (www.consumerdirect.gov.uk) or your local trading standards service for advice
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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