TRADING STANDARDS WARNING ABOUT DOORSTEP SCAM IN AREA
Date: Tuesday 27 July, 2010
Kent Trading Standards are advising local residents to be wary of a bogus trader claiming to be carrying out remedial drainage work or remedial installation of dehumidifiers.
Residents in Folkestone, Dover & Deal have reported being called upon this week by a person who claims he needs access to their property because he is working on the house next door or he has previously done work on their home. He claims that he needs to do remedial drainage work and / or install dehumidifiers in their home to remedy the problems the neighbours are having.
The man then follows up the visit with telephone calls asking for large cash deposits of thousands of pounds for equipment that he needs to hire. If the householder refuses to pay the trader threatens to take court action and becomes aggressive. The man is described as short, 45, stocky build with fair/ reddish short hair, and an unusual accent. He uses a Dover telephone number. No vehicle has been reported. This is a scam.