Residents will be quite aware of the recent bad weather, of which Storm Henk was the latest in a series of weather events. Croydon may not have suffered the widespread flooding which has hit large parts of the country, but evidence of the wind was widespread with fallen branches, fence panels and some damage to houses.

Trading Standards are urging householders, particularly the elderly and vulnerable, to be on their guard for rogue traders who might try to take advantage of any damage to property actually, or allegedly, caused by recent storms

Sadly, it is a fact that some unscrupulous traders see an opportunity to take advantage of people when they are vulnerable – particularly the elderly and infirm – and this is particularly the case following incidents of bad weather.

Trading Standards always advise consumers never to deal with cold callers on your doorstep, whatever goods or services they are offering. This is particularly the case where householders may feel that work is required immediately to deal with an issue and persons describing themselves perhaps as tree surgeons or roofers seem the answer.

If damage is weather-related, always speak to your insurance company first before agreeing to have work done. The company is likely to have a list of approved traders and may well want to instruct them to undertake any necessary repairs. The fact is that it is better to wait for the work to be done properly, rather than it be done badly and have to be redone.

If you do not have insurance, or want to get the work done as soon as possible, then we would always advise –

• Do not agree to have work done by anyone who cold calls.
• Ask friends and family for recommendations.
• Try to get at least three quotes for work.
• Make sure you know the trader’s name and address. If things go wrong, it is usually easier to arrange a repair or refund with a local trader.

If you feel you have been scammed, contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via actionfraud.police.uk.
Further advice can be obtained by emailing
trading.standards@croydon.gov.uk

The Online Safety Act 2023 is an act of the Parliament of the United
Kingdom to control online speech and media. It passed on 26 October
2023 with a view to being able to deal more effectively with harmful
online content including scams and scam adverts.

Speaking on The Martin Lewis Podcast, the money-saving expert
himself said he was ‘heavily involved’ in the campaign to get scam
advert regulation included in the Online Safety Bill.

He said: “Always be vigilant when you’re approached by a person or
company selling you something you have not requested, cold calling is a
warning. Never click links or call numbers, emails or texts, if you don’t
know who it’s from.”

For further information and advice on financial issues
and saving money please visit the Money Saving Expert
website: www.moneysavingexpert.com

Please pay extra attention to adverts or ‘sales’ that
are too good to be true! The Christmas and New Year
sales are tempting but if you never receive the item
you have not saved any money!

If you have been scammed or misled into contracting with a business or a
trader and parted with money, please report to Citizens Advice Consumer
Advice Line on 0808 223 1133 or go to the following website to report online:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/get-more-help/if-you-need-more-help-about-a-consumer-issue/