Rogue traders and doorstep crime

Rogue trading

• Rogue trading includes poor quality work and high pressure sales to organised crime gangs targeting the elderly and vulnerable.

• Rogue Traders often demand large amounts of money by threats and intimidation sometimes without even doing any work.  They’ll usually want cash and may even offer to drive you to the bank to get it.

Doorstep crime

• Doorstep criminals will pretend to be from legitimate companies (like the Council, utilities companies or simply collecting for a ‘charity’) just so that they can sneak into your home.

Avoiding rogue traders and doorstep criminals

• Fit a security chain to your door and use it when answering
• Place a ‘No cold calling’ sticker near to the front door – these can be obtained from Trading Standards
• Have a vulnerable friend or family member register with the Trading Standards Nominated Neighbour Scheme’
• Check the identity of the caller by asking to see an ID card
• Think: do you really need the work done immediately?
• Shop around for the best deal, where possible using a trader from the Trading Standards Buy with Confidence scheme 
• Use a trader recommended to you
• Try to get three quotes to make sure you are being quoted a fair price
• Make sure that you get the quote in writing
• Insist that the caller leaves you with information so that you can think about it and get advice
• Do NOT let them into your home (no matter how friendly they seem) and don't be tempted by 'today only' offers (this is pressure selling)
• Remember - for most jobs in your home you have 14 days to cancel by writing to the trader (even if the work has started), unless you have asked the trader around specifically to carry out emergency repairs or maintenance.  Don’t be pressured into waiving this right

How to report a rogue trader or doorstep crime

If you’re concerned about a rogue trader, doorstep criminal or a scam contact Cheshire Police by ringing 101.

You can also contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service (CACS) either by e-mail or phone 0808 223 1133.

If you know that money has been paid to a scam report it to the Action Fraud website or call them on 0300 123 2040.

Awareness presentations

The Trading Standards team offers a range of awareness presentations about rogue trading, doorstep crime and scams for both adult organisations and for schools.

Contact us

Page last reviewed: 02 August 2024