Kent County Council (KCC) is urging local residents and businesses to be on the lookout for cold callers and rogue traders this spring.
Doorstep criminals often redouble their efforts at this time of year, with bogus offers of guttering and roofing repairs, or work on driveways and gardens. With warmer weather just around the corner, many homeowners are likely to carry out home or garden improvement work, or put right problems that have emerged during the long winter months.
With household budgets under greater pressure than ever this year, many could be tempted by superficial bargains which end up costing dearly. Doorstep criminals often promise the earth and fail to deliver, leaving a trail of unfinished or substandard work in their wake, and inflating prices as a project progresses.
To help safeguard residents against the rogues, and to support legitimate local businesses, KCC runs a Trading Standards Checked scheme which vets local businesses to ensure that they operate to high standards and adhere to consumer protection law.
Adam Mortimer, Manager of Kent County Council Trading Standards Checked, said: “We expect all the traders signed up to the scheme to be open and honest. We vet them to the highest standards, and many of them go above and beyond to keep their customers
happy. The end result is a scheme that gives peace of mind to local residents and support to local businesses.
“It’s a win-win for everybody, except the doorstep criminals and rogue traders who will never be welcome in Kent.”
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