Rogue Traders

Rogue Traders

Rogue traders and scams

Rogue traders may take your money and do a bad job, or no job at all. They may charge you too much or take months to complete work that should take a day. They may sell you faulty or inferior goods and refuse to take them back, or just simply disappear. Always avoid rogue traders – only hand your cash over to trustworthy tradespeople.

How do I know if a trader is a rogue trader?

If you want to buy goods or services, check out the firm or business you are thinking of using before handing over any money to them.

Go to the Office of Fair Trading website to find a trustworthy tradesperson or business who is a member of a trade body with an approved code of practice.

If you are thinking of buying a product or a service, get advice first on the Consumer Direct website.

How do I avoid being a victim of a scam?

Many people have lost money after being taken in by a scam. There are hundreds of different types of scam and so it is important to be on your guard all the time. The golden rule applies: if it seems too good to be true it very probably is.

Find out how to protect yourself against scams on the Consumer Direct website.

Download a leaflet to find out more about avoiding scams.

If you think a product or service you are being offered is a scam, call Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 for help and advice.

You can also contact Doncaster Council Trading Standards, email:
trading.standards@doncaster.gov.uk , telephone 01302 737529 or 737590, or visit the Doncaster Council Trading Standards website.

Door step sellers

Did you know that if you spend more than £35 with a trader in your home, in most cases you have 7 days to change your mind and cancel. Your right to cancel should be given to you in writing by the trader.

If you’re not given this information, they can’t hold you to anything in the contract.

If you decide to cancel you must let the trader know in writing within 7 days of being told about your right to cancel.

Always think carefully before you agree to have any work done or goods delivered within the 7 days, as you might have to pay if you then decide to cancel.

Traders who display the joint Direct Selling Association and Office of Fair Trading Approved code logo

DSA/OFT logo

should offer reliable customer service. A leaflet detailing more information on the code can be found here.

For more information call Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 or visit http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/

Loan Sharks

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