Rogue traders and doorstep callers

The term 'Rogue Trader' is used to describe criminals who target homeowners. They make fraudulent and untruthful statements and carry out shoddy work with the intention of obtaining as much money as they can. The people involved in this type of criminality are practised, convincing and organised. Our experience shows they favour the vulnerable members of the community, particularly the elderly and lonely. 

Typically, these rogue callers will arrive unannounced and point out work that they say is needed at a resident's home. This includes gardening, driveway and building work. Residents are advised not to immediately agree to any work. It is always advisable to obtain two or three estimates for proposed work.

By law, traders have to provide customers with a written document which sets out their right to change their mind to a written or verbal contract. The document allows a resident a minimum of seven days to consider whether they still want to go ahead.  If they change their mind within these seven days, they are entitled to cancel the contract without any penalty. 

The Trading Standards Rogue Trading team deal with criminal offences committed by doorstep callers. The team work very closely with Bromley Police and the Borough Safer Neighbourhood Teams.  Banks and post offices in the Borough have been encouraged to be aware of customers who may have been sent to the branch by rogue traders to withdraw large sums of money and to contact the team if they have any suspicions.

How to report rogue traders 

If you notice any suspicious activity, please call the Trading Standards Rapid Response number. Please be on the look out for work being carried out at a neighbours' home or for callers at their door, particularly if the neighbour is vulnerable. In appropriate cases, officers from the Trading Standards Rogue Trading team will quickly attend and investigate. We can help only if you are a Bromley resident; if not, you must contact your local Trading Standards Department through the Trading Standards Institute.

To help consumers in selecting a reliable tradesman, we are looking for well-run trustworthy businesses to join our online Trader Register service.