A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Rogue traders

What to look out for and how to report rogue traders

Rogue trading can include:

  • poor quality work
  • high pressure sales
  • organised crime gangs that target the elderly and vulnerable – using threats and intimidation to get large amounts of money, sometimes without even doing any work

How rogue traders operate

A rogue trader might try to:

  • cold call - knock on your door to offer services
  • befriend you – for example, they might claim to have been before, or say they’re working on your street. Many victims say ‘they seemed like such a nice person’
  • start with small jobs like cleaning gutters for £15, claiming more work was needed (which they won’t quote for) and then demanding hundreds of pounds, often for no or very little work
  • make fraudulent claims – for example claim moss on a roof causes damage and needs to be washed off
  • keep coming back to demand extra payments for bogus reasons – for example claiming you’ve not paid VAT
  • use intimidation to extort money from you, or offer to take you to a cashpoint to withdraw cash

What to do if you suspect a rogue trader

If the trader is still at your home, call the police: 999

You can contact the Citizens Advice consumer service for advice.

You can also contact Leicestershire Police in non-emergency cases: 101 

Tips to avoid rogue traders

  • get a security chain fixed to your door
  • check their identity - ask to see an ID card and check the telephone number
  • ask for trader recommendations from your friends and family
  • get the quote in writing
  • ask them to leave you information to study at your leisure
  • don't let them into your home - no matter how friendly they seem
  • don't be tempted by 'today only' offers - this is pressure selling

Your rights

If you enter into a contract in your home for work costing £42 or more, you have 14 days to cancel by writing to the trader (even if the work has started), unless you’ve asked them specifically to carry out emergency repairs or maintenance.

If you haven't been given information on your right to cancel, then you can cancel up to 54 weeks from the agreement date.

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