This site uses cookies. By using it, you agree to their use. To find out more, read our Privacy Policy.
Accept
Wrexham Council News
  • Biz & education
  • Council services
  • People & place
  • Video
  • Other
  • Welsh
Reading: Don’t fall prey to cold callers
Share
Notification Show More
Latest News
Unpaid Carers Roadshow
Unpaid Carers Roadshow
Video Council services People & place
Woodland Pledge
More organisations lend their support to the Wrexham Woodland Pledge
Council services
Acton Park
Acton Park Tree Party
Council services People & place
Lego
Channel 4’s Lego LEGOMASTER champion comes to Wrexham!
Council services People & place
Register to vote
Could a £50 voucher be yours?
Council services People & place
Wrexham Council News
Search
  • Biz & education
  • Council services
  • People & place
  • Video
  • Other
  • Welsh
Follow US
© 2023 Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Wrecsam
Wrexham Council News > Blog > Council services > Don’t fall prey to cold callers
Council services

Don’t fall prey to cold callers

Last updated: 2019/03/04 at 10:13 AM
Share
4 Min Read
Rogue traders target elderly residents
SHARE

An elderly couple were prevented from paying out £28,000 for unnecessary work after Public Protection officers intervened.

As a result, Lawrence Newberry was prosecuted and pleaded guilty recently to 3 offences under Consumer Protection laws relating to the attempt to carry out an unnecessary roof replacement of a home belonging to the elderly couple in Wrexham.

In July 2017 he approached an 80 year old householder and offered to do minor repairs on the roof of his home. Once on the property the minor repairs quickly became a claim by the defendant that the entire roof required urgent replacement at a cost of £28,000.

APPLY ONLINE FOR SCHOOL TRANSPORT IN SEPTEMBER NOW!

- Sign up -
Get our top stories

Under pressure because of the threat of failure of the existing roof the householder agreed to work being done which started the same day. However, Public Protection’s Trading Standards officers intervened and prevented the work from being completed and ultimately revealed that there was nothing wrong with the existing roof and that price quoted was more than double the reasonable cost of replacement.

Cllr Mark Pritchard, Leader of the Council, said: “It is deeply troubling that this retired couple in our community were lured into having unnecessary, overpriced and, most likely, poor quality work done on their property by a man who cold called them and scared them into believing that failing to do major repairs immediately could result in problems for their home. I am pleased and relieved that on this occasion the problem was resolved for the householder and that the perpetrator has been held to account in the criminal courts.

“Preying on vulnerable, elderly residents is a despicable, cowardly and particularly nasty activity and it is going on in the heart of our communities. I would urge all residents in Wrexham to look out for anything suspicious or unusual going on in their neighbourhood and think of their friends, neighbours and relatives, particularly those who may be more vulnerable to cold callers offering to carry out repairs on property. As we have seen, they only need a toe in the door to start the hard sell and scare or charm residents into signing up for very expensive work.

“I would also like to thank everyone concerned with this case to bringing it to a successful conclusion.”

Advice from Trading Standards: “If you think you might need work doing, find reputable traders and obtain a few quotes before agreeing to get work done. Check when and how payment will be made. Use recommendations and make sure you have the full details of any business before you commit to work. If you are unsure get help from friends or family. Never agree to work offered by cold callers on the doorstep”

If you see anything suspicious or you want to report an incident call:

Police on 101

Or Citizens Advice Consumer Services on 03454 040506.

Need school transport in September? Apply online now

APPLY ONLINE NOW

Share
Previous Article Some food for thought…how we’re getting better at recycling food waste Some food for thought…how we’re getting better at recycling food waste
Next Article Cyber Safety Bus Tour to Visit Wrexham Cyber Safety Bus Tour to Visit Wrexham

Stay connected

15k Followers Like
23.7k Followers Follow
3k Followers Follow
- Sign up -
Ad imageAd image

Latest news

Unpaid Carers Roadshow
Unpaid Carers Roadshow
Video Council services People & place June 6, 2023
Woodland Pledge
More organisations lend their support to the Wrexham Woodland Pledge
Council services June 5, 2023
Acton Park
Acton Park Tree Party
Council services People & place June 2, 2023
Lego
Channel 4’s Lego LEGOMASTER champion comes to Wrexham!
Council services People & place May 29, 2023

Efallai yr hoffech weld y rhain hefyd

Unpaid Carers Roadshow
VideoCouncil servicesPeople & place

Unpaid Carers Roadshow

June 6, 2023
Woodland Pledge
Council services

More organisations lend their support to the Wrexham Woodland Pledge

June 5, 2023
Acton Park
Council servicesPeople & place

Acton Park Tree Party

June 2, 2023
Lego
Council servicesPeople & place

Channel 4’s Lego LEGOMASTER champion comes to Wrexham!

May 29, 2023
Wrexham County Borough Council
//

Wrexham Council News provides all the latest news from your county borough council.

Quick links

  • Customise interests
  • Reading list
  • MyUpdates
  • Contact the council
  • Push notifications
  • Privacy policy

Get our top stories…

Subscribe to our newsletter to get latest news and info from Wrexham Council.

Sign up
Wrexham Council News
Follow US

© 2023 Wrexham County Borough Council

Cofrestru
Get our top stories - sign up!

Never miss latest news and info from Wrexham Council.

Sign up
Give it a try! You can unsubscribe at any time.

Removed from reading list

Undo
Wrexham Council News
Welcome back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?
  • Cymraeg
  • English