News / Crime
Warning on Bristol’s green deal rogue traders
Bristol residents are being warned to watch out for rogue traders attempting to cash in on a council scheme to help homeowners secure funds to make their properties more energy efficient.
A number of complaints have been made by people in Totterdown over the last few weeks who’ve been targeted by ‘hard selling’ rogue traders offering expensive home energy assessments and replacement boilers.
The scam comes in the wake of the Warm Up Bristol initiative launch. The four-year scheme will see advisors visit every house in the city to help residents access cash to make their homes warmer, healthier places to live.
Homeowners can get up to £4,000 towards loft insulation, double glazing, solid and cavity walls, new boilers and renewable energy systems.
A recent example of a rogue trader scam saw a Totterdown resident pressurised into signing up to a home energy assessment, known as a Green Deal Advice Report, for £275, rather than £49 as it would cost under the Warm Up Bristol initiative.
Top tips to spot a rogue trader:
- Traders will often try to pressure people into making quick decisions on the spot
- If a trader doesn’t have any official paperwork to show you then be on your guard
- Rogue traders will try to get as much money from you as possible up front. Don’t be pressured into agreeing to anything straight away
- Traders who only provide a mobile number on marketing material
- Beware of traders who present an ID card, but will not let you inspect it closely
If you are suspicious about a potential rogue trader, call Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 04 05 06.
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