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Trading Standards

Trading Standards

Doorstep Crime & Rogue Trading

Doorstep crime is when rogue traders come to your door, uninvited, and pressure you into buying something or signing up for a service. They often try to sell their product or service in a way which can be very intimidating.

Examples of doorstep crime are, traders who:   

  • tell you guttering, roofing, garden or paving is in need of urgent repair – this may cause you to panic and allow the work to take place,
  • take your deposit and never return to do the work,
  • charge unreasonable prices or increase the price of the work as the job progresses.
  • don't have cancellation policies or give cancellation notices, guarantees or warranties,
  • produce poor quality work and refuse to sort out problems or finish the work,
  • don’t give their address or use a fake address,
  • don’t give their real name. 

If you are bothered by doorstep callers 

Please note that not all doorstep sellers commit a crime, and you can avoid doorstep selling scams by remembering these tips:

  • Don't agree to anything just to get rid of a seller – don't buy anything you don't want to.
  • Don’t agree to anything until you’ve had time to think and are happy with the work to be carried out and the price.
  • Cold callers are smartening up their act. Don’t be taken in by fancy uniforms and liveried vans – say NO to cold callers. If you need home improvement work done, do plenty of research - get a few quotes and check companies on different review sites
  • Don’t believe a cold caller’s scare stories or warnings about the condition of any part of your home - they are rarely true.
  • Be wary of special offers, discounts or deals which are only available on that day.
  • Check and take note of the seller's ID card, including their full address, not just a PO Box or phone number - check the address actually exists.
  • If you tell someone to leave your home, it's a criminal offence if they don't do as you ask
  • Even if a seller provides you with cancellation rights, remember that once you pay them they have the money and you don't!
  • Company backed guarantees are worthless if the business disappears, or ceases trading – try to ensure any guarantee or warranty provided are backed by an insurance company or Trade Association
  • Don’t pay for any work or materials in advance or agree to go to the bank with the trader.  
  • Get and keep a copy of any paperwork, contract, receipts, advert or flyer.

The law says 

It is a legal requirement that traders trade fairly. By law, for contracts concluded away from trade premises, consumers must be given a 14-day cooling off period to consider, or cancel, contracts costing more than £42.

Doorstep selling regulations are available to view on the UK Government website.

Advice Services

If you wish further guidance or have a query about the above then please contact the organisations listed below:

If you wish to report an issue or have concerns in relation to Doorstep Crime & Rogue Trading please contact us at ts@cne-siar.gov.uk