Rogue Trader Week Operation

Carmarthenshire’s Trading Standards team joined with Dyfed Powys Police to undertake a large-scale exercise during Rogue Trader Awareness Week. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Large areas of the county were covered, particularly in known problem areas of Llwynhendy, Bryn and Llangennech in Llanelli, with more than 820 homes visited. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Residents were advised about doorstep crime and handed advice packs so they know what to look out for and what they should do if they answer the door to a cold caller. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Trading Standards officers and police also used the opportunity to gather information and intelligence, discovering that the majority of cold callers in Carmarthenshire are people touting for building work. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Alongside the Rogue Traders Week operation, Trading Standards teams have been busy visiting communities, giving scams awareness talks to groups and speaking to people who have complained about rogue traders. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

People are being advised to stay on their guard, to always think twice about agreeing to pay for goods or services on their doorstep, and to check out Carmarthenshire’s Registered Traders Scheme if they need to employ someone to help with DIY, gardening or cleaning. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Protect yourself from becoming a victim – our top 10 tips: ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

• If in doubt, keep them out
• Always ask for an identity card and look up the organisation to check the salesperson’s identity is correct
• Don’t get taken in by sales banter and high pressure selling techniques, or sign on the spot for work to be undertaken
• Think very carefully before you agree to a trader starting any work straight away – talk to someone you trust for a second opinion
• Always shop around for the best price
• Read the small print and double check the facts
• Avoid handing over any money before work is started
• Trust your instincts – if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
• It is okay to say no. Remember, it’s your doorstep and your decision. If you feel pressured for any reason, ask the person to leave
• Finally – report any suspicious activity