BE ALERT; AND DON’T BE “BLUFFED” BY COLD CALLERS

TRADING Standards officers have made a fresh warning about the dangers of cold callers after a gang thought to have operated in the area in the past re-emerged in North East Lincolnshire.

Certain members of the gang are now being questioned by police and trading standards officers after a series of reports that they were failing to allow customers a seven-day "cooling off period" required by law before beginning work.

But trading standards are warning other traders may still be operating in Cleethorpes and Grimsby, and warned residents not to do deals on their doorsteps.

The gang are thought to have offered patio and drive services to at least three potential customers in Cleethorpes, who raised the alarm with trading standards.

Councillor Steve Beasant, portfolio holder for community safety and public protection, said: "The key message is to be wary of people who call at your home or phone unannounced - and to never do business on your doorstep for jobs on your home.

"If you've already been approached and are worried - seek advice. If you find that you have succumbed to the offer of a cheap job once, do not allow the trader to offer to do more work for you and call trading standards instead. It is never too late, even if you have committed to what you understand is a contract."

The council has already made moves to protect homeowners from cold callers and rogue traders, with No Cold Calling Zones across the borough. These zones aim to raise public awareness of the dangers of cold callers. Signs are displayed along the street informing potential cold callers that local residents are aware of the dangers and unlikely to fall for any ploy.

If you need to have large or small works done to your home, then residents can check out those traders that are in the council's Home Services Directory first. These traders have been vetted by the Trading Standards Department and should do a fair and reasonable job for a reasonable price. The list can be used for your own peace of mind.

The list is available by clicking onto the website www.hsd.org.uk. Call Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 for any other trading standards advice.