Residents are being warned to be wary of cold callers or leaflets offering to do garden clearances, tree cutting and work to roofs and gutters.   

Oxfordshire County Council’s trading standards team is encouraging caution if anyone knocks and offers to start work immediately, particularly if they are pushy or claim that urgent repairs are required. Each year, springtime and the start of the growing season results in an increase in offers to assist with gardening.

In the last year, the trading standards team saved or recovered over £220,000 for Oxfordshire scam victims, doorstep crime and other frauds. But unfortunately, this is only the tip of the iceberg, and the team are aware of at least £659,000 being handed over to such criminals.

Jody Kerman, Oxfordshire County Council’s Head of Trading Standards, said: “Through intervening in doorstep crime incidents, working with partners such as the police and pursuing criminals through the courts, we have been able to save Oxfordshire residents a huge sum of money.

“However, we know that a much greater amount has sadly been lost, at a time when money is particularly tight. Such crimes can also lead to a sense of shame, embarrassment, and isolation, which offenders look to take advantage of”,

Credit to:

https://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/rogue-traders-posing-as-gardeners-and-roofers/