Warning from Moray Council after an increase in rogue traders locally
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AN INCREASE in rogue traders in Moray has led to a warning from the council's trading standards team.
The trading standards team at Moray Council has said there has been an increase in rogue traders targeting vulnerable people in the area.
There have been reports of leaflets containing false information being distributed and consumers being cold called by individuals supposedly offering a range of services including gardening work, roof cleaning and general building and maintenance work.
More rogue traders are also set up social media pages and websites in order to appear legitimate. They often disguise phone numbers to make it look like a local number before getting rid of a cheap mobile when calls regarding problems start.
Environmental health and trading standards manager at Moray Council, Karen Sievewright, said: “As well as being cautious when opening the door to apparent traders, our advice is to be careful when posting on social media looking for work to be carried out at your home.
"Check out any businesses that respond and offer to do the work. Do some background checks to see if the business is local, known and recommended by others.
“We recommend if you need work done to stop and think twice. Don’t take the first person who calls at your door or drops a leaflet through your letterbox. Ask friends, relatives or neighbours who they would recommend.
"Only pay for work that has been completed to a good standard and as agreed. Retain final payment until a job is complete.”
Doorstep sellers can be reported to Trading Standards on 0300 1234561.
