Trading standards has new weapon against rogue traders

TRADING standards staff in North East Lincolnshire have thrown their weight behind a team of government-backed Scambusters who are set to take the fight to rogue traders across Yorkshire and the Humber.

The Scambusters will be based out of York and have been backed by £750,000 of Government funding. They will oversee 14 local authorities - including North East Lincolnshire, which is a partner of the Yorkshire and Humber Trading Standards group.

The team has been set up to root out scam artists that work beyond county lines, making it more difficult for individual local authorities to pursue them.

Andy Foster, the council's trading standards manager, said: "Larger scams tend to work across local authority borders, making it difficult for local authority teams to target them. The cross border approach of Scambusters will tackle this and has already led to successful prosecutions when it has operated on a trial basis.

"Our local teams will be able to share information with the Scambusters to go after the rogue traders who don't regard the North East Lincolnshire border as the cut-off point for their shady practise."

Cllr Steve Beasant, portfolio holder for communities and neighbourhoods, said: "This cash will provide a useful tool in the fight against rogue traders. There seems to be a perception amongst shifty sellers that they if they are found out within North East Lincolnshire, they can just up sticks and move to another area.

"Now, with a regional team of Scambusters in place, that attitude will become a thing of the past."

Colin Rumford, the City of York Council’s head of environmental health and trading standards said: “We are finding that dishonest traders are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their activities. This new team will compose of specialist officers with particular skills to help local authority trading standards services throughout the region keep one step ahead and bring more of the ‘rogues’ to court.

“This can only be good news for the public, particularly the most vulnerable in society who are often the favourite target of these individuals. I believe the introduction of the team will also be welcomed by the majority of businesses, who do trade honestly and fairly, but who have the reputation of their industry tarnished by the conduct of these people, who in reality are simply criminals.”

Consumers who feel that they have been ripped off by cold calling traders or who wish to report scams or suspicious activity can report the matter to Trading Standards via the national Consumer Direct helpline on 08454 04 05 06.