Coney Hall Village Residents' Association (CHVRA)

Trading Standards alert: doorstep crime

Bromley Trading Standards is reminding residents to beware of doorstep crime. Their advice is not to accept any home maintenance work offered at the doorstep. We’re sharing their updates about how to protect yourself from rogue doorstep traders:

Do:

  • Do get several written quotes – prepare a clear detailed brief beforehand.
  • Do seek references, read reliable reviews, ask to visit previous jobs.
  • Do check directly with any reputable organisation named or whose logo is shown on a leaflet/website to make sure the trader is affiliated – if not, report to Bromley Trading Standards.
  • Do get a contract in writing before works commence. Check the terms and conditions. You should be entitled to a 14-day cooling off period – with full written cancellation information and not just a mention on a leaflet or a tick box to say you agree.
  • Do check and verify a trader’s insurance.
  • Do be wary if you are asked to pay by cash or asked to pay a cheque or transfer money to an individual if they are unconnected with the trader/company you are dealing with.

Don’t:

  • Don’t deal with traders at the door – it’s okay to say no.
  • Don’t contact traders via leaflets that are delivered through the door – without making thorough checks beforehand.
  • Don’t pay large sums of money in advance – schedule payment as works progress.
  • Don’t accept that traders are members of an organisation because they use a logo.
  • Don’t be rushed into deciding – seek advice first from someone you trust.

Useful contacts

If you believe you or someone you know is at immediate risk of losing money to a scam or doorstep criminal, contact the police directly on 999.

You can also:

Bromley Trading Standards also runs a fair-trader directory to help you find a safe, reliable trader that you can trust, visit www.bromley.gov.uk/tradingstandardschecked to learn more.