Fraudulent activity - Stop! Think Fraud

Hello Resident,

Following a recent incident in Farringdon Close, Sandhurst in which a white male in his 20s speaking with an Irish accent, with short brown hair and clean shaven, carrying a white folder and with a lanyard round his neck, offered to do some gutter repairs for free, but then pushed for cash to do some additional work and became verbally threatening when the homeowner declined. 

The male departed in a small white Peugeot van, which was displaying Irish number plates.

Residents are being warned to be vigilant and to not become victim to rogue Roofing & Guttering traders.

 There are laws that anyone working at height or on rooves has to comply with, so if your caller has nothing more than a ladder, there is every possibility that they are not genuine.

 If someone knocks claiming to be simply in the area and offering to do the work there and then, there is every possibility that they are not genuine. Reputable tradesmen do not seek work in this manner.

If your roof and gutters aren’t causing you a problem, don’t accept a strangers word that you need work doing, unfortunately rogue traders who are allowed up on a roof often claim to then discover serious damage (which they may well have caused themselves) to tiles or chimneys that they offer to repair at extortionate prices. 

Protect yourself and your property by following this simple safety advice:

If you believe your home requires repair/ cleaning work and you see adverts or receive flyers from individuals or companies offering such work, consider making on line checks to confirm any quoted addresses, phone numbers, email addresses or websites.

Best still is to seek recommendations available from Citizen’s Advice or Trading Standards.

Trading Standards will also be able to advise you on how to set up a “No Cold Calling Zone” in your neighbourhood should you and your neighbours want one.

Don’t be rushed into agreeing work or parting with your money. Obtain written quotes for any work confirming the company’s details and details such as, exactly what needs repairing, (dimensions and materials), who will be removing debris and how much it will cost before you allow it to commence.

As always if you have any information relating to this type of offence or would like to report a crime please contact Thames Valley Police via the on-line portal on their website or by phoning the non-emergency number 101.  For residents across the entire Bracknell and Wokingham Police area you can contact Trading Standards on 01635 519930.