When it comes to tackling the nationwide problem of rogue traders, one of the best deterrents is community spirit. Looking out for one another is a basic human instinct, so protecting the elderly and vulnerable should be second nature to all of us.
If you know that you live next door to an elderly citizen, it would be well worth knocking on their door just to check if they’re okay once a week. After all, a 10-minute chat with a cup of tea never hurt anyone and it could go some way to help your neighbour feel protected.
Always keep an eye out for dodgy vans or door-to-door salesman patrolling the pavements, especially when they knock on the door of the vulnerable. Unfortunately, rogue traders and cowboy builders target older people as they are easy prey – frail, powerless, with large pensions, elderly people become number-one targets for conmen.
During your weekly 10-minute chat, educate your neighbour when it comes to scaring off rogue traders. Always ask for ID and never accept “No” or “I’ve left it in the van” as an answer. A rated tradesman will always carry his ID when recruiting potential clients and it can go some way to reassuring home-owners that the builder is genuine.
However, just checking ID is not enough. Recently, traders have been posing as employees of reputable brands in order to make a fraudulent sale. Before signing into any contract, make sure you advise your neighbour to ring the company in question to check that ‘Joe Bloggs’ is on the company roster. If not, you can tell the phony trader you’ve phoned up his alleged company and found out that he isn’t on the company list. Watch him or her squirm as they try and get out of that one.
Always, always, always be vigilant. This is crucial to not being ripped off, even if it means going out of your way making phone calls or inspecting trade certificates. In the end, an extra 15 minutes checking a tradesman’s credentials could save you thousands of pounds and a months of heartbreak over shoddy, unfinished building work.
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