Greenwich has signed up to a national campaign against rogue traders who prey on the elderly and vulnerable.
Scambusters
A new "Scambusters" team was officially launched this week. They will support the work of our trading standards team in detecting and preventing the activities of unscrupulous and dodgy traders as part of a £1.8 million Government-funded campaign.
The team will deal with:
- deceptive selling techniques targeting the vulnerable
- doorstep crime
- high Pressure sales
- home-working and other ‘get-rich’ schemes
- cold calling
- counterfeiting.
They will be particularly valuable in tracking the activities of con-artists and dubious traders who work across borough boundaries.
As part of the new drive, offenders may be given Anti Social Behaviour Orders and officers will be able to use the law to trace criminals assets with a view to recovering them.
Dedicated team
Steve Playle, Project Manager for the Scambusters scheme, said: "The aim of the Scambusters Team is to help local councils by dealing with unscrupulous criminal cold-calling traders who move across boundaries, causing misery to their victims.
"These traders are often difficult to trace but this new team will have dedicated time and resources to follow these investigations through."
Get advice
Cllr Maureen O’Mara, cabinet member for community safety and the environment, said, "There is much more information available these days for consumers about their rights, but still one hears of dreadful cases where unscrupulous traders prey on elderly or vulnerable people.
"The Council’s trading standards service offers free advice, via Consumer Direct, for anyone who is concerned about traders whose activities seem dubious or who don’t seem to be offering a fair deal."
Want to report a rogue trader?
If you have been the victim of rogue trading or if you have concerns about somebody who is working in your area, contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.
You can also find lots of free advice on the Consumer Direct website.
Looking for a reliable tradesperson?
If you are looking for someone to do work on your home, read our advice on how to find a reliable trader.
23 November 2006