Doorstep cold calling

A doorstep deception or con is when a trader cold calls at your home and persuades you to have work done, that you do not want or need, for example: a roof, driveway, gutters and fascias, or trimming of trees and bushes. Often they say that they just happen to be in the area and can offer you a 'special deal' and quote a very low price. Please note If you agree for the work to be carried out, they are legally required to give you a written notice explaining you have the right to a 14 day cooling off period.

They often target the elderly or vulnerable members of society, pressuring them to allow the work to go ahead immediately. The price will then dramatically increase, usually to several thousand pounds once the work is underway. Many leave once they have been paid, leaving unfinished work and broken promises. On the occasions that they complete any work, this is normally of a very poor standard and often is found to have been totally unnecessary.

Even if the work has been completed and you have paid and it was a few months ago, we can assist you with information and by reporting them to us we can protect others from been conned.

Who to contact

If you receive a cold call from a rogue trader contact our team via Citizens Advice consumer service on: 0808 223 1133. Our officers are available weekdays between 9am and 5pm. If you feel under threat or in danger, you should contact the Police on 101 or if it is an emergency dial 999.

We can offer you assistance and intervene, disrupt and take action against the cold caller. Even if the cold caller has gone away, get in touch, we are always keen to have information about what happened, as this can provide us with intelligence

Please note we cannot respond to every request for assistance, but in the case of an emergency, particularly where a trader is on the scene or a suspected rogue trader is expected to return at a particular time, we will make an attempt to get officers out to you

You can also apply for our Door step cold caller sticker scheme and if traders ignore our stickers you can use our cold calling template letter to request that they do not call at your home again.

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