Trading Standards Trader Register

Trading Standards have launched a Trader Register scheme - an online directory of local traders who are committed to providing good workmanship. This is especially relevant currently, in light of the series of Distraction Burglaries that have taken place in some areas, where callers will often call on the pretext of undertaking work. West Mercia's advice is never to offer work to "tradesmen" who turn up at your door unsolicited, but if you want some work done we would advise that you get 2-3 quotes first. The new Trading Standards register will also be a useful resource to find a reputable trader.

Trading Standards point out that the Trader Register is not an approval scheme, but members of the scheme have signed up to a Code of Practice and are dedicated to fair and honest workmanship.

If you are interested in the scheme, please see www.worcestershire.gov.uk/traderregister. Alternatively you can call the Trader Register Scheme on 01905 765394.

Advice about Bogus Callers

PLEASE REMEMBER the importance of making sure rear doors/windows are locked before answering the front door, putting your door chain on (if you have one) before answering the door, asking for/checking Identification (and if not 100% convinced by the ID to check with the callers organisation by calling the organisation on a number got from Directory Enquiries/Phone Book etc NOT BY USING A NUMBER PROVIDED BY THE CALLER OR DISPLAYED ON THEIR ID CARD). Most of the utilities will be happy to arrange a password with you, so you know that they are who they say they are if they call. It is also worth noting that many Bogus Callers claim to be from the "Water Board" - please note that there has not been a "Water Board" since 1989 - therefore anybody who claims be from the "Water Board" or similar should be viewed with suspicion.

Finally, some of these callers offer to do work (e.g. drives etc) - some go to considerable lengths to  appear legitimate (including - bogus - sign written vans). They will often do work after agreeing a price, but when it comes to pay, the price for the (often shoddy) work has escalated and they intimidate the person into paying - including in the past even driving the victim to the cash point. It is also worth noting that these criminals "trade" victims. If one group of bogus callers note that there is more cash around than they were able to steal, they will pass the victim's address on to their "colleagues" in the criminal fraternity (on the agreement that they have a cut in any "winnings"), so that their "colleagues" can target them on another pretext. So unfortunately, once someone becomes the victim of a bogus caller, occasionally, they will be targeted again - making it doubly important to do all we can to prevent them becoming victims in the first place.