Local residents are being warned by the Council to be aware of cold callers across the Bath area who are falsely claiming to be Trading Standards officers.
The warning comes after a resident in Odd Down, Bath, alerted the Council’s Trading Standards team of an imposter who made a bogus call yesterday morning (29th September).
The bogus caller claimed to be a Trading Standards officer who was offering to carry out a free inspection of the resident’s roof and produce a report regarding its safety, stability and general condition.
He claimed he would then be able to offer advice on what structural work might need to be done to the roof.
When the resident began to question the authenticity of the offer, the bogus caller hung up the phone.
Councillor David Dixon (Lib-Dem, Oldfield), Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said: “Imposters like this have nothing to do with Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Trading Standards team.
“This case has all the hallmarks of a scam. Consumers should never agree to have work carried out on the doorstep or over the phone.
“Do not be tempted to agree to a visit if you don’t want one, or to buy anything at the first visit. Always take your time to make your decision and often the best way to do this is to think about it the following day.
“Use local firms with good reputations. Ask friends and family for recommendations, or use a Buy With Confidence member – who have been audited by Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Trading Standards and have agreed to trade fairly and honestly.”
If you have been targeted by salespeople in this manner and are concerned or wish to report a potential rogue trader, please contact the Citizen’s Advice Consumer Helpline on 03454 04 05 06.
To find a local business, visit the Buy With Confidence website www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk, or telephone 01225 396753.