Cold Caller Scam Warning
We have been notified by a resident of St Luke’s Road in Southend that they have recently been scammed out of hundreds of pounds from a gentleman claiming to offer tree cutting services. He then carried out only part of the work he’d agreed to do for an overly inflated price.
If someone knocks at your door offering to do work on your home or garden for you, do not be tempted to agree to give them work there and then - regardless of how good a deal it sounds or how much pressure they place on you.
We suggest that if you are approached in this way, you should politely but firmly decline. You can then take time to think about whether or not you actually want or need the work done and, if you decide that you do, you can go about obtaining at least three quotes from reputable firms, preferably ones that have been recommended to you by people you trust.
Anyone genuine will be happy to let you think about it, compare quotes and get back to them in your own time – they wouldn’t adopt scare tactics to convince you to agree to work being done immediately. Remember that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If a cold caller is being aggressive or intimidating, close the door on them and inform the Police by calling 101. If you believe a crime is taking place, call 999.