Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

Carmarthenshire Trading Standards are advising people to think twice before agreeing to pay cold callers for gardening and home improvements, and instead use the council’s Registered Traders Scheme. Their advice comes as police investigate reports that rogue traders are targeting older people in the Llangunnor, Burry Port and Llangennech areas. Several people have reported that they have been charged large sums of money for work such as gardening and gutter cleaning, and that the work is not completed or carried out to a satisfactory standard. The reports also confirm that no paperwork is being provided, therefore leaving the customer without cancellation rights or contact details for the business. Trading Standards are working with police to investigate the issue, but in the meantime are advising people to be on their guard against cold callers, and to help elderly neighbours by keeping an eye out in the community. The council’s Registered Trader Scheme lists a number of local handy...

Rogue traders are being warned to think twice before trying to scam householders in Carmarthenshire. Trading Standards officers in Carmarthenshire County Council have teamed up with the  Neighbourhood Policing Team at Dyfed Powys Police to get ‘One Step Ahead’ of people who cold call on households trying to sell goods or service that are not needed. In many cases, the sellers use dodgy tricks to con the householder in to buying things they don’t need, or to have repair work done that is shoddy or sometimes even illegal. They are also urging people to beware of doorstep lenders, or loan sharks – people offering to lend money - as they will more than likely end up being hounded for more money than they ever agreed to pay back for the ‘loan’. Aled Thomas, Lead Trading Standards Officer, said: “Our ‘One Step Ahead’ campaign is all about helping people have a better understanding of the tricks rogue traders use to try and con innocent people out of money. “Working together with poli...

Trading Standards officers and neighbourhood policing teams are working together to get a head start on rogue traders. Teams from Carmarthenshire County Council and Dyfed Powys Police are undertaking a joint campaign to make local residents more aware of the tricks rogue traders use to con people in to paying for work that is shoddy and dangerous, or never happens at all. Victims often fall foul at this time of year when unsolicited salespeople make ‘jobs’ they claim they’ve identified seem more urgent. It is one of common techniques criminals use to talk homeowners in to having repairs that they don’t need. As part of an awareness campaign, Trading Standards and police officers will be door-knocking to hand out information, as well as holding community events where people can seek advice. Inspector Alun Samuel said: “Overall, reports of rogue traders are down significantly on previous years, which demonstrates that the proactive work we’re undertaking is making a difference. “There...

Two new No Cold Calling Zones have been set up in Carmarthenshire to offer protection to residents from visits by uninvited traders. The new zones are at the Sheltered Complex at Bro Ryan, Glanamman, and the Sheltered Complex in Llys Y Dderwen/Thomas Avenue, Ponthenri. It brings the total number of zones throughout Carmarthenshire to 49. They have been proven to make householders feel safer in their own homes. Also there has been recent evaluation at Zones in Nantlais, Llandybie, and Tan y Bryn, Burry Port, where 100 per cent of residents rated the zone as being very effective and neither zone has had had any cold callers since implementation. More than 10,000 complaints are made nationally about cold calling doorstep traders every year, but this is likely to only be the tip of the iceberg –victims are often embarrassed and frightened so many incidents will go unreported. The No Cold Calling Zones offer protection for residents by making it a criminal offence for uninvited traders to...

Carmarthenshire Trading Standards Officers are warning residents to be on their guard against distraction burglars and opportunist rogue traders especially in the aftermath of the recent stormy weather. Residents may have suffered damage to their property during the bad weather. The Trading Standards Service is now urging residents to be extra vigilant to doorstep callers and sellers who may not be offering bona fide work. People looking for trades people to carry out repairs are urged to be very careful who they employ and to be extra vigilant to doorstep sellers. Any bona -fide caller will be willing to call back, giving you the opportunity to check that they come from the relevant business. If you are agreeing to work in your home (over £35), then you should also be given written cancellation rights. Roger Edmunds, Trading Standards Services Manager said: “Residents of Carmarthenshire may need urgent work carried on their properties and it is very tempting to accept the first offer ...

Carmarthenshire residents are being urged not to allow themselves to be conned by rogue traders this autumn. Carmarthenshire County Council Trading Standards Service is warning householders not to make any payments upfront to itinerant traders who cold call. House owners in Llanelli have been targeted by traders offering to do house painting and property maintenance such as guttering. Executive board member for public protection Cllr Jim Jones said: “I would urge householders to take care when traders call at the door uninvited. The message is – do not pay upfront. “We want people to have the courage to refuse making on the spot decisions about buying costly home repairs that they may not need. They should contact a reputable trader and obtain quotes.”

Rogue Trader due in court for 27 rogue trader offences | Dyfed Powys Police | Heddlu Dyfed Powys A 38-year-old man is due to appear before Swansea Crown Court in connection with 27 rogue trader offences. The man, from Penparcau, Aberystwyth, was arrested by police in Ammanford.

Carmarthenshire Trading Standards Service is again advising residents to be on their guard against rogue traders who ‘cold-call’ to find work. This follows a recent spate of incidents where elderly people have been targeted by unscrupulous traders offering services such as roof cleaning and other repairs. In all cases, large amounts of cash have been requested ‘up front’ and in some incidents the consumer has even been taken to the bank to withdraw the money. Trading Standards Services Manager Roger Edmunds said: “We have noticed a significant increase in such incidents recently and it may be down to the current economic climate. “Also with the winter weather approaching, traders may use high winds and ice as an excuse to invent problems that may not exist, such as loose roof tiles etc. “We would urge residents not to agree to have work done on their property on their doorstep, especially if the trader is asking for a large deposit. We would always recommend taking some time to think...

Carmarthenshire's public protection division is warning householders to beware of rogue traders and distraction burglars taking advantage of emergency repairs following the extreme weather. The county council can answer queries from members of the public who need to have repairs carried out to their homes. Head of public protection Philip Davies said: “We are able to offer advice to people who are unhappy about the quotes they have been given to carry out work following the snow and ice. We would advise them to use one of our Registered Traders.” He warned of the danger of distraction burglars using freezing weather to access homes. Executive board member for public protection Cllr Pam Palmer said: “We are keen to ensure that householders are not taken advantage of and the best way to organise repairs is by contacting one of our Registered Traders.” Members of the Registered Traders’ Scheme agree to abide by the scheme’s code of practice and to trade fairly. A list of current membe...