Rogue Trader Flyer

STOP – think – that’s the message being sent out to residents by Carmarthenshire Trading Standards and Dyfed-Powys Police with regard to unsolicited calls or flyers from traders.

The council’s Trading Standards Services and Dyfed-Powys Police have devised a spoof rogue trader flyer, designed to raise people’s awareness regarding the possible pitfalls of engaging with rogue traders offering home improvement maintenance work etc.

The message is to think before agreeing to have work done, especially with traders that have cold-called.

Unfortunately the glossy ‘before and after’ pictures in the advertising leaflets do not always reflect what customers end up with.

Trading Standards Manager Roger Edmunds said: “The flyer provides valuable information for potential consumers who may be targeted by traders and will be distributed with the assistance of the Neighbourhood Policing Teams.”

The flyer also reminds residents about the legal requirement to obtain a licence from the council if they intend lowering the kerbs outside their property or carrying out any other work on the public highway.

Indeed there have been several recent cases involving substandard kerb lowering work and false promises of licenses being obtained by the contractor on behalf of the resident.

The council’s executive board member for environment and public protection Cllr Jim Jones said: “Now that spring is around the corner we fear that rogue traders may start targeting areas of Carmarthenshire again.

“We urge residents to be on their guard and be aware of any suspicious activity in their area, especially if they have elderly or vulnerable neighbours.”

For further information or to report a suspected rogue trader please contact Carmarthenshire County Council on 01267 234567 or Dyfed-Powys Police on 101 (only ring 999 in an emergency).