Residents across the borough, particularly in Beckenham and Penge, are being warned to be highly suspicious of a roofing company alleged to be working in the area.
The warning comes following news in the last few days of at least two residents living in in the Beckenham area who responded to either a leaflet advertising roofing work or a cold call. The residents, who are not being named, were asked for a total of £60k where very little work was needed.
Trading standards officers were on hand to question four alleged tradesmen in conjunction with the police. Whilst investigations are continuing, the north London address of the company name given, Surefix Roofing & Construction, which is suspected to be false. Trading standards are asking for any information which may help in its ongoing investigation. It is not uncommon for company or trading names to change and for individuals to modify their approach and therefore residents are advised to be highly cautious of anyone approaching them offering building, roofing or cleaning services, such as jet-washing drives etc.
Councillor Angela Page, Executive Councillor for Public Protection and Enforcement and SCAMbassador said “Thank you to the alert residents who have made contact with our trading standards team to draw our attention to this. As we know that older residents in particular are targeted as they are seen as more vulnerable, please raise this with older friends or members of the family for their awareness. It is deeply upsetting to people who have unwittingly paid a rogue trader, often large sums of money, for work that is not needed or exaggerated. Be highly suspicious of anyone you don’t know, especially if they just knock or post a leaflet through your door. Make checks and compare prices.”
The official Bromley trading standards advice is not to deal with doorstep callers or contact traders from the leaflets that are delivered without making thorough checks beforehand. Residents are also warned not to pay large sums of money in advance, with schedule payments as works progresses instead advised. Residents are also advised to get a minimum of three written quotes and seek references or read reliable reviews.
Residents are also reminded that if they have purchased something from a doorstep seller, that they have an automatic right to a 14-day cooling-off period in most circumstances. The same also applies for items purchased online or via mail order.
The council’s trading standards rapid response team can be called on 07903 852090 if it is suspected that a resident is at imminent risk of being scammed, including by a potential doorstep ‘rogue trader’. Information and advice about avoiding scams is available by visiting www.bromley.gov.uk/scams where residents can also sign-up to trading standards email alerts.
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