Officers at Thanet’s community safety unit are warning people to be on their guard for rogue traders after two pensioners were targeted on the isle.
The scammers are claiming to have cleaned gutters and then asking for payment.
The first report came from Dane Crescent, Ramsgate, where a male and a female knocked on an elderly lady’s door saying they had cleaned her gutters and asked for £20.
The second was in Rosemary Gardens, Broadstairs, where a 93-year-old woman has been conned into handing over £100 for gutter cleaning which never happened.
Stay safe:
DO NOT agree to any work being undertaken at your property by doorstep traders. Even if they are insistent that they can give you a good deal if you agree to the work there and then, DO NOT say yes!
if you do need some odd jobs done on your property, always ask a friend or a relative to recommend someone or go to a viable company whom you know to be genuine.
NEVER feel pressured into having anything done at your property that you haven’t agreed to.
ALWAYS tell anyone that comes to your door that you will talk to your partner/children/friend, etc and ask them for a contact number, where you can contact them back – if they are genuine, they may have business cards, and this can be checked. If they are reluctant to give you a contact number, they are probably scamming you.
