main content Cold calling builder fined

An unscrupulous builder has been prosecuted by Bromley’s Trading Standards Team for cold calling an elderly West Wickham resident. Noah Devalle, also known as Noah Williams was fined £300 for failing to supply a consumer with a written notice of cancellation rights following an unsolicited visit. Mr Devalle of Wooton Green, St Mary Cray, was also ordered to pay costs of £200.

"This is another case of an elderly resident being targeted by unscrupulous traders. Thankfully, on this occasion the trader was caught and dealt with without any money passing hands. We are working closely with the Police and will target any Bromley based trader who preys on elderly residents, and where the evidence allows, we will prosecute them" said Councillor George Taylor, Executive Councillor for the Environment.

The elderly victim had been cold called by a man using the name Williams three years ago and as a result had paid £12,000 for a crazy paved drive. However, Mr Williams recently revisited the victim, claiming he was checking up on his work and noticed some of the slabs had come up and needed re-laying. Mr Williams said that he could do the work for £800 and the victim, who is in his 80s, agreed to the work being done. When Mr Williams returned to do the work the next day, the victim's nephew spoke to him and demanded that he stop work immediately and leave.

Mr Williams continued to hound the victim, telling him he could do the work for £400 and finish the job that day. When the Council’s Trading Standards Officers approached Mr Williams, he gathered his tools and left the property in a red van. The vehicle was recognised by officers as being involved in a previous matter and traced it to Devalle.

Concerned residents can call the Council’s Trading Standards Team on 020 8313 4800 for advice on consumer rights or to report suspicious traders - even if they have not been approached personally.

ENDS

Editor’s Notes:

The Consumer Protection (Cancellation of Contracts concluded away from Business Premises) Regulations state:

4A. - (1) A trader is guilty of an offence if he enters into a contract to which these Regulations apply (other than an agreement referred to in regulation 4(2) above) with a consumer but fails (or, in the case mentioned in regulation 3(1)(c) above, has failed) to deliver to the consumer the notice in writing referred to in regulation 4(1) above in accordance with paragraph (2) below.

4A. - (2) A notice is delivered in accordance with this paragraph if it:

• contains what is required by regulation 4(1) above;
• complies with the requirements of regulation 4(3) above; and
• is dated and delivered to the consumer at the time specified in regulation 4(4) above.

For further information, please contact Andrew Rogers, Communications Advisor on 020 8461 7670 or Rob Vale, Trading Standards Manager on 020 8313 4785 or e-mail andrew.rogers@bromley.gov.uk.