Dodgy dealers: (From Warrington Guardian)

Dodgy dealers:

we're on to you!

ROGUE builders beware - trading standards and the police are on your case.

By working together Warrington trading standards, HM revenue and customs and the police hope to drive dodgy operators out of town and on Friday, the Warrington Guardian joined them as they checked out suspect companies.

Professional-looking advertising signs at the side of the road were our first stop of the day - trading standards officers laid them face down and arranged for their removal.

Edwina Greenwood, principal trading standards officer, had tried to find the real address of the company behind the advertising but had been unable to do so.

She said: "There is a freephone number to an accommodation agency, which can make it impossible to find out the firm's real address, so you will have no comeback if things go wrong. I was given an address that turned out to be false. Mobile numbers can be the same problem."

And she warns: "Don't be fooled by a website, professional-looking leaflets or smart vans, they amount to nothing."

Signs are a popular way of advertising because if the customer approaches a company for work, written contracts are not required. Although even when people have been cold called - they often fail to receive a contract.

The contract should include a real address, details of the work and cost as well as a seven-day cancellation period.

Ms Greenwood said: "It's important for people to use the cancellation period to compare prices."

However, she admits that once the wheels have been set in motion, people can be reluctant to stop a job - even if they have reservations about the company.

Ms Greenwood said: "The trouble is people are scared. They are afraid they are dealing with thugs so would sooner pay than risk upsetting them."

Detective Constable Paul Unwin said: "We want to send out a strong message to all would-be bogus traders who may think that cold calling is an easy way to make profit. Deceiving people on their doorsteps and delivering poor quality, over-priced services is not an option in Warrington."

Colin McAllister, HM Revenue and Customs head of detection, said: "At joint operations such as this, HMRC officers check for red diesel, kerosene or laundered fuel in vehicles where they suspect duty and VAT is being evaded."

Contact Warrington Trading Standards on 444400 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.