Rogue Traders in Your Area

Rogue Traders in Your Area

On 08th January 2025 Gloucestershire Police received a report of Rogue Traders operating in the area of Warden hill Cheltenham, in this instance they pressured the resident into allowing them to carry out the job that they suggested was “necessary”.

After quoting a price which the resident felt obliged to agree to, the traders later added extra costs which made them feel that they had been taken advantage of .

We are asking residents to be aware of this type of scam and to contact the Police and trading standards if they feel they have been a victim of a scam.

We have compiled some advice for you regarding how to avoid becoming a victim to a Rogue Trader.

Rogue Traders

These people may use pressure tactics to persuade homeowners to have unnecessary work done or to purchase goods. The rogue traders will often have no experience or training and will carry out poor quality work or sell sub-standard goods for large amounts of money and usually ask for payment in cash.

Here are some top tips to avoid becoming victim to a rogue trader:

Install a door chain or spy hole so you can communicate with callers without allowing access.

Never agree to have work done by somebody who is just passing or take their word that it needs to be done at all.

Never agree to have work done or part with any money on your doorstep.

Always get at least 2 written quotes from traders for any work.

Always agree the price, payment arrangements and start/finish dates in writing before any work starts on your home. You could also ask to see a copy of their public liability insurance certificate.

Ask friends and relatives for a recommendation or check a trusted website for details of local tradesmen in your area. You can also conduct some research on the internet to check for reviews of businesses and tradesmen.

You can report rogue traders to the Police on 101. If you feel threatened or the situation is an emergency, call 999.

For complaints about goods and services you can contact Trading Standards. The Citizens Advice provide free, confidential and impartial advice on consumer issues. Please see the links in Related Information for details.

not as described - for example, you bought a package holiday but something advertised wasn’t included

you didn’t want to buy - for example, they put pressure on you

You can also tell them about a business if:

they scammed you - for example, you paid for something online that you didn’t receive and you couldn’t contact the seller

they tried to stop you using your legal rights - for example, they said you can’t return faulty goods

they weren’t clear about the price or added on extra costs - for example, they advertised theatre ticket prices without booking fees

they sold products to people who looked underage without asking for ID - for example, alcohol, knives or fireworks

they didn’t carry out work properly - for example, kitchen fitters left your home in a dangerous state

Reporting to Trading Standards

If you think a business has broken the law or acted unfairly, you can report them to Trading Standards.

Trading Standards use the information you give them to investigate unfair trading and illegal business activity, like rogue traders and scams.

Trading Standards can take businesses to court or stop them operating, but they won’t help you fix your problem - for example, they can’t help you get a refund.

You can get help with your consumer problem from the Citizens Advice consumer service.

Check what you should report to Trading Standards

You should report a business to Trading Standards if they sold you something:

unsafe or dangerous, like an electronic appliance with faulty wiring or food past its use-by date

fake

not as described - for example, you bought a package holiday but something advertised wasn’t included

you didn’t want to buy - for example, they put pressure on you

You can also tell them about a business if:

they scammed you - for example, you paid for something online that you didn’t receive and you couldn’t contact the seller

they tried to stop you using your legal rights - for example, they said you can’t return faulty goods

they weren’t clear about the price or added on extra costs - for example, they advertised theatre ticket prices without booking fees

they sold products to people who looked underage without asking for ID - for example, alcohol, knives or fireworks

they didn’t carry out work properly - for example, kitchen fitters left your home in a dangerous state

Report a business to Trading Standards

To report to Trading Standards, you need to contact the Citizens Advice consumer service.

What happens after you've reported to Trading Standards

Trading Standards will use the information you give to decide if they’ll investigate. They’ll only contact you if they need more information.

Even if Trading Standards don't contact you, they might use your evidence to take action against the business in the future. For example, if other people make complaints about the same business.

Get more help with your consumer problem

If a business isn’t helping you fix something that went wrong, you could:

try making a formal complaint

get help from a dispute resolution scheme

take them to court

You can call 0808 223 1133. You will receive advice and the report will be sent to us. In the event that your complaint is considered urgent, an immediate referral is made to your local Trading Standards Service.

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Message Sent By
Julia Mounsor
(Police, PCSO, Cheltenham Neighbourhood Policing team)