Trading Standards have partnered with North Wales Police to carry out Trader Checks across Wrexham.
The aim of the checks is to ensure that traders are compliant with consumer protection legislation and are operating legitimately. As part of this process, traders will be approached and given advice. Officers will be speaking to householders as part of financial safeguarding and protection from abuse.
Police officers are carrying out vehicle checks for relevant tax/insurance and anyone working at a property having his or her details checked. Also, they’ll be looking out for signs of modern slavery and these will be assessed and reported. This forms part of council’s priorities to keep people SAFE in their homes and create SAFE neighbourhoods across Wrexham.
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As we know, doorstep crime involves the deliberate targeting of people who are often older or vulnerable. They are cold called, sometimes when out in the garden, or out of the blue, and may be told a roof tile is loose. Work is offered, with the business claiming to be doing work up the road, or for a neighbour. They’ll claim to have just noticed a problem when passing and they could offer to sort it there and then for a nominal amount.
Once they have the person hooked, the work and demands for payment begin to escalate. Vulnerable adults may even be taken to the bank to withdraw cash. Often the work didn’t need doing in the first place. Work carried out may be of extremely poor quality and create further problems for the homeowner later.
The advice WCBC Public Protection Service give, is to never deal with anyone at the doorstep. Legitimate traders do not need to go door-to-door. They also won’t ask for cash payments up front. Legitimate traders have business accounts for supplies, so they won’t ask you to hand over thousands of pounds.
WCBC’s Housing Department operate a Houseproud Scheme which is available for all homeowners living in Wrexham. For a small fee they will come out and assess the work requested and then source local, reputable traders who provide no obligation quotes.
Houseproud oversee the work and ensure you are happy before parting with any money. For more information, they can be contacted on 01978 298993 or email housing@wrexham.gov.uk
Trading Standards across Wales oversee a Buy with Confidence scheme which local traders can join for a fee. They’re then audited by Trading Standards and become Trading Standards approved. The scheme is currently growing as more and more local business come on board.
Members can access the current list of traders through www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk . Any business wishing to sign up please contact 01978 298997 or email trading.standards@wrexham.gov.uk
For advice and support on dealing with cold callers please visit the North Wales Police website.
To report any concerns for you, neighbour, family member please contact NWP on 101 or Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 04 05 06.
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