Consumer agency issues alert on rogue traders

THE NATIONAL Consumer Agency (NCA) has warned consumers to be wary of rogue traders following an upsurge of reported incidents to its website and call centre.

The agency said it had come to its attention that consumers were being conned into hiring people who turned up at their doorstep to carry out various home improvements.

The services on offer to homeowners included paving drive ways, replacing gutters, installing replacement windows and doors and garden landscaping.

Typically, such operators use "hard sell" techniques to entice consumers to engage them.

They offer to do the job at prices well below average and demand an immediate commitment from the householder and an up-front cash payment.

The also exert a degree of pressure on consumers by saying they are only in the neighbourhood for a limited period and promise to finish the job in a few hours.

NCA chief executive Ann Fitzgerald noted that exerting undue influence on consumers and causing "significant impairment to their freedom of choice" by causing them to commit to unbudgeted and unplanned financial outlay was prohibited under the Consumer Protection Act 2007.

"People need to be wary as it may cost them a lot more to get faults rectified," she said.

"It is often the case that when these contractors have left the area they cannot be contacted again.

"Most of them are unregistered and have no fixed land line or office contact point.

"They use mobile phone contact numbers while working in the area."

Ms Fitzgerald said the NCA was "keen to take action against these operators where they can".

However, the NCA pointed out that consumers could help put these people out of business by refusing to engage their services.

"If these operators do not get business in an area, they will have to give up," she said.

"We have produced some pointers aimed at raising awareness of the possible pitfalls associated with the engaging transient contractors.

"I would urge consumers not to be talked into engaging their services and to contact the agency immediately if they come across these rogue traders."

The NCA issued a series of guidelines for consumers confronted by cold calling traders.

The guidelines warn people not to be influenced by claims of bargain basement prices or claims that the improvement will add thousands to the value of a property.

It also reminds people to ask for details such as addresses of offices and for a landline number which should always be checked.

If says that if consumers deal with a transient contractors they won't be able to contact then if things go wrong and it warns against paying in cash.