Old folk are warned to watch out for rogue traders

Elderly people have been warned to be wary of rogue doorstep traders offering winter home improvement services.

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) and Age UK said rogue traders often targeted those who were older or vulnerable, with many consumers concerned about home maintenance following last year's severe winter.

They aimed to highlight the financial risk of being scammed and the emotional toll it could take on all consumers, but particularly those who were older.

While canvassing on the doorstep was not illegal, and many legitimate businesses operated in this way, rogue doorstep trading as an ongoing problem in the UK, the OFT said.

Advice service Consumer Direct received more than 5,300 complaints about traders offering home maintenance work on the doorstep last year, a 16 per cent rise from the previous year.

Age UK spokeswoman Helena Herklots said: "With last year's freezing temperatures still fresh in people's minds, we want to raise awareness of rogue doorstep traders offering services to prepare homes before bad weather sets in.

"Although crime against older people is less likely than other age groups, rogue doorstep traders often target those who are older or more vulnerable, so it's important to be aware of the risks."

OFT spokeswoman Michele Shambrook said: "If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is. Work or service carried out by these traders is sometimes unnecessary, of a poor standard, much more expensive than originally quoted or not done at all."

The OFT has advised consumers to avoid agreeing to or signing anything on the doorstep, to be wary of special offers or warnings that the house is unsafe and to avoid snap decisions.