The County Council Rogue Trader Team has reported that a number of rogue trading incidents have
taken place during November. These included:

In Welwyn Garden City a householder was cold called by a trader saying that they needed to look at fascia work that had been done 9 years previously as it may have been done incorrectly. The trader then ripped off the fascias and roof tiles and said they wanted £6500 to put it right. The householder refused and the trader has disappeared without putting back the fascia and tiles, leaving behind £3000 worth of damage. The rogue trader team and police attended and are working together to try and identify the trader as a false address was given to the householder.

In St Albans an elderly consumer was harassed over a number of weeks by a gardener, and eventually agreed to some work being done, just to get rid of him. £400 was paid for very little work. The rogue trader team have identified the trader and will be taking action against him.

In Wheathampstead a gardener cold-called a vulnerable consumer and offered to prune a small tree for no more than £20. The work was completed after 5 minutes and the trader then demanded £1100. The householder gave a cheque for £450 to get rid of the trader. The rogue trader team and police have visited the
householder, the cheque has been cancelled and a camera fitted to the home. Investigations are on-going to identify the trader.

In Welwyn Garden City the rogue trader team stopped a bogus charity clothing collection. The collection claimed to be for the Air Ambulance, but had nothing to do with the Air Ambulance Service. The team found the van making the collection and intervened. The driver’s details were taken and evidence seized from the van. Statements have been taken from householders who thought they had left clothing out for the Air Ambulance Service and the collector is being investigated with a view to legal action.