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The city council’s trading standards
section has received two reports that doorstep callers have claimed
they need to carry out work on the instructions of the council. One
incident was reported by a resident in Stanground and another from
Whittlesey.
In one instance the callers claimed
they had been sent to clear the garden and in the second incident
they said they had been authorised to cut down trees. They then
threatened residents with fines – in one case a figure of £30,000 –
or the removal of their possessions if they refused to have the work
done.
The
trading standards team offered the following advice to anyone who
may be approached by a doorstep caller:
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Ask for identification and check
the authenticity of any document or badge
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Do not simply accept the opinion
of a caller that work is needed
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Always get several written
quotes from different companies if work is necessary
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Do not pay the whole amount
before the work is finished and a full invoice is submitted
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If you feel threatened and the
caller will not go away telephone the police.
For more advice on consumer rights
contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.
February 2008 -
Peterborough UK Community Website
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