Trading Standards warning issued after elderly couple targeted in distraction theft

A warning about cold callers and doorstep crime has been issued by Trading Standards after an elderly couple were the victims of a distraction theft last week.

Three men targeted the address in the First Avenue area of Llay on Monday 12th August.

Police say that three men were paid for carrying out work on a chimney, although witnesses report that no one was seen working on the roof.

Whilst the victims were paying for this “work”, one of the men went upstairs and stole cash from a bedroom.

Insp Darren Whibberley said: “This is a despicable crime. These rogue traders deliberately target trusting elderly people. I would urge residents to not to accept work from cold callers.

“Our Neighbourhood Policing Team is working alongside council trading standards as part of the investigation. Anyone with information about this crime or the suspects, or who has seen similar suspicious behaviour please call police on 101 or the webchat.”

Trading Standards are now urging residents to be aware of cold callers and to not “engage at all on the door step”.

Advice issued by Trading Standards, states: “If someone unexpected calls, or a business turns up claiming to be doing work for a neighbour or someone else down the road, don’t enter into a conversation with them.

“They might claim to have noticed a problem with your roof, chimney, gutters, windows, trees, or similar. Don’t believe what you are told. Simply close the door.

“It’s part of a fraud/scam to get you to part with your money. Legitimate businesses don’t cold call and ask for money up front. Most of the work pointed out doesn’t actually need doing in the first place, and work that is carried out by these criminals is often poor and ineffective.

“There’s legislation to protect you from rushing into poor decisions on the doorstep. Businesses have to give a period of 14 days for you to consider if you want the work doing and you ought to take that time to obtain other quotes or check with family.

“The only exception is if emergency work is needed. Never waive your rights.

“Be vigilant at home and also look out for your elderly neighbours and report anything suspicious, making note of vehicles or descriptions of persons. Keep minimal cash at home, use banks/post offices, and pay by bank transfers or cheques rather than cash.”

If you want to complain or get any advice about goods or services you have bought please contact Citizens Advice Consumer Services on 03454 040506.

Or, if you want to report something you think is suspicious, please contact either Citizens Advice Consumer Services on 03454 040506 or North Wales Police on 101.