Slough Borough Council’s trading standards team is urging residents to be wary of rogue traders offering to check frozen pipes after the icy weather over the last month.
The Slough Trading Standards Institute (TSI) has received reports of vulnerable consumers being visited by con artists claiming to be from a water company and needing to check the pipes.
However, once they gain access into the home, the Slough householder is distracted by one of the con artists in one room, while the other thief steals any valuables available.
The warning comes as water companies revealed they are receiving a record number of calls, between three to four times more than the winter average. Frozen pipes and leaks are the main complaints.
The council is urging residents to check tradesman on the Buy with Confidence scheme to find a reputable trader for repairs.
The advice is -
* Use a trader recommended by friends or family
* Always get three quotes
* Don’t use a trader who cold calls or leaves a leaflet through the door. They could be anyone.
Angela Satterly, principal technical enforcement officer for Slough Borough Council, said: “After the spell of extremely cold weather, residents may find they are visited by so-called water company employees looking to fix broken pipes.
“If you either get a knock at the door, or receive a leaflet by someone you weren’t expecting, don’t allow that person in the home.
“If you are worried that your pipes may need fixing, speak to family and friends to see if they can recommend someone or have a look at the Buy with Confidence website.”
If any Slough resident has any doubts about the credentials of a trader knocking on their door, they should take as much information as they can, including the registration number on the vehicle, and report them to Slough’s trading standards or the police.
To find out more, call 01753 875255.
All traders and businesses who apply to join the scheme must abide by a code of practice, and any complaints received by the public are investigated by the trading standards team.
Slough Borough Council
