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Rogue traders and scams

For professionals

What is a rogue trader?

Rogue traders are people who appear to be qualified tradespeople who offer to do work at your home. They may pressure you into having work completed immediately by suggesting that urgent works are required to your property. 

Common services offered by rogue traders or cold callers include general building work, gardening work, roofing, repairs and maintenance, and driveway resurfacing.

More information is available on Friends Against Scams.

What are some of the warning signs to look out for?

  • Requesting large, upfront payments
  • No written quotes
  • No physical business address
  • No ID or credentials
  • Applying pressure to agree to work
  • Limited time special offers
  • Asking for sensitive information
  • Refusing to take no for an answer

What shall I do if they knock on the door?

DO

  • Do your research and find a reputable tradesperson
  • Ask to see their ID or credentials
  • Report any suspicious behaviour to the police or Citizens Advice
  • Ask friends or family for adice
  • Ask for a written quote

DO NOT

  • Don’t open the door if you are not sure
  • Don’t agree to any work on the doorstep
  • Don’t hand over any cash on the doorstep
  • Don’t let anyone into your home
  • Don’t believe claims there is urgent work to be done on your property

More information and guidance

Anyone approached on their doorstep who has concerns or feels threatened should call Humberside Police on 101.

You can also report cold callers to Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133.

As a customer, you can avoid rogue traders and be assured a business has been thoroughly checked for legitimacy and quality by the Trading Standards team with the Buy with confidence scheme. This lets you search for an approved trader before you pay for any services.

Search for an approved trader

For professionals

Financial Exploitation Project

ALERTS (Adult Learning & Education of Rogue Traders & Scams)

Training sessions for Health and Social Care professionals focused on preventative strategies to reduce residents in NEL becoming repeat victims, delivered by the Trading Standards Team.

The project focuses on:

  • Scam Victims
  • Community Education
  • Enforcement Action
  • Partnership Development Work

The aim of this training is to continue to raise the awareness of Doorstep Crime and Scam offences thereby safeguarding the public through an accessible reporting procedure that triggers intervention strategies designed to break and disrupt the cycle of crime.

Through the delivery of a structured programme of training sessions and presentations to Health & Social Care staff, including volunteers, support workers, carers and professionals who have individual contact on a regular basis with members of the local community, the primary objective is to raise awareness among those most susceptible to doorstep crime and scams.

Health & Social Care professionals are some of the best-placed people to monitor those at risk, as research suggests 80% of all such victims are already in receipt of health and social care services.

Training sessions and presentations can be tailored to meet the individual requirements of your organisation or team and utilises the specific ‘one to one’ approach that is so valuable in delivering the key Doorstep Crime & Scam Awareness messages, whilst standardising the message across all organisations.

Delivered by a small dedicated team, training sessions and presentations are personalised with work experiences that clearly demonstrate the devastating effect these types of crime have on victims.

With a background in offender management and crime prevention, attendees are assured of personal delivery response to questions with an in depth knowledge based on real case scenarios.

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