Rogue Trader - Scam & Fraud Advice

Dear Resident,

Balham Safer Neighbourhood Team hopes you are well. Below is some safety information from our Community Safety Officer.

The Council's Trading Standards Service has received a report this week about a trader who cold called a resident in Balham on 5th January offering patio and cleaning and sealant work. The trader failed to provide any documentation prior to the 'work', charged a few hundred pounds and wanted payment in cash. A flyer given by the trader stated the name of a company that records show was dissolved in March 2025.

At this time of year, rogue traders often cold call householders and offer cheap or fast property repairs or maintenance,  because of supposed problems they have seen such as missing roof tiles or blocked gutters. They may claim to be working in the area, have leftover materials and use the excuse of worsening weather in order to play on fears about possible damage that may be caused if the work is not carried about. Previous complaints to Trading Standards about such traders include homeowners being coerced into having work done that is not required, shoddy workmanship, a fraction of what was ‘quoted’ being done or being substantially overcharged.

Residents are therefore being advised to be very wary of any tradespeople approaching them in this way. Consumers should not pay any money upfront as reputable traders do not normally need money before work is started and should always have a written contract signed before the work is started with a breakdown of the work to be done as well as the payments to be made, the final payment being made after the work has been completed to their satisfaction. It is also worth asking friends and relatives for recommendations and to check for reputable tradespeople with consumer protection organisations such as Trust Mark. To obtain a list of approved traders in your area visit www.trustmark.org.uk or call 0333 555 1234

Anyone wishing to report a suspicious trader in the borough can call the Citizens Advice Bureau 0808 223 1133 who offer consumer advice on your statutory rights and will pass details to trading standards for investigation where appropriate. If a trader ever becomes aggressive or refuses to leave then call 999 for the Police.

Kind regards,

Balham Safer Neighbourhood Team