The trading standards section of Moray Council has today issued a warning about dishonest doorstep traders to households.

Each year, trading standards officers are receiving complaints from householders about door to door callers who advertise services such as roof repairs, garden clearance or patio work.

Traders often target vulnerable customers such as the elderly by using misleading practices to obtain considerable amounts of money.

The most common types of complaints include an inadequate result from the work carried out or traders beginning by quoting a low price figure which rises significantly over time due to large amounts of 'extra work' needing to be carried out. Another common complaint from householders are traders exaggerating the problems customers could have if they do not get repairs carried out soon.

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Moray trading standards advise people to never agree to work on their doorstep. Often, doorstep sellers practise pressurising sales techniques. Trading standards recommend the best action to take is to decline politely and close the door.

Trading standards advise householders who think that work is needed to their property to get quotes from up to three traders, or ask a trustworthy individual for their opinion. Often, victims are embarrassed and therefore do not report doorstep crime. Other times they are unaware of who to report the crime to, or sometimes they do not even realise they are a victim.

Peter Adamson, Moray Council's trading standards manager said: "Trading standards relies on information from the public to help identify the rogues. Every bit of information on problem traders helps us prevent people being ripped off."

(LM/CD)