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15 Jun 07Cut Out The Rogue Traders!
Borough of Poole joined forces with the police 
and other agencies for a national day of action against dodgy tarmac gangs, cowboy builders and other rogue traders.
Trading Standard's Officers across Dorset and the country took part in Operation Rogue Trader on June 15. The operation aimed to disrupt the activities of criminal gangs who rip-off the public by overcharging for poor quality and often unnecessary building or gardening work.
Shaun Robson, Head of Environmental & Consumer Protection Services (E&CPS), Borough of Poole, said: “We wanted to send a clear message to rogue traders preying on the elderly and vulnerable, in particular, that we will find out about them if they come calling in Poole and we will investigate them.”
To support the day of action, Borough of Poole staged an awareness event at the Dolphin Shopping Centre . E&CPS officers were on hand to offer advice to the public on protecting themselves against doorstep criminals and other scammers.
Using a display featuring life sized cardboard cut outs representing typical scam victims, staff encouraged the public to get “Scam Wise” and challenge their perception of who’s at most risk from rogue traders.
Councillor Don Collier, Portfolio Holder for the Environment, said: “People have a right to feel safe from scams and rogue traders at home. Many of these scams only ask for £10 or £20 and victims are tempted because it seems like a good deal for little outlay, but this adds up to massive profits for those behind the scam. We are especially concerned with those rogue traders who use cold calling to exploit the most vulnerable members in our community by massively over-charging for simple property repairs that are often not even carried out properly and leave the purchaser with no-one to complain to.”
E&CPS advise the public never to deal with a unsolicited doorstep trader offering building or gardening services unless they get a second opinion and at least two or three quotes for the work from legitimate companies.
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