RUBERY residents are being warned to be on their guard against rogue traders offering to carry out work in the village.
One man contacted The Standard after a family member was charged several hundred pounds on Friday to cut back a tree which he said was overhanging and encroaching on her next door neighbour’s garden.
Today he managed to track the man down to Windmill Avenue in his van and confronted him about the scam before reporting it to the police.
He said other residents he had spoken to all over Rubery had also been approached door-to-door through similar ruses.
“I want people to be aware of this and make sure they don’t fall victim to the same trick,” he added.
Sgt Dave King from West Mercia Police said: “We have received reports of the rogue traders in the area.
“It is a criminal offence for a trader to carry out work on a property without asking or if they use aggressive tactics to get people to have work done.”
He urged people to only deal with reputable companies.
A Worcestershire County Council Trading Standards spokesperson said: “We are aware of this matter and now know the name of the business involved. We are liaising with the Police whilst we investigate this matter.”
Anyone who has encountered the firm operating in Rubery or anyone wanting to find a reputable firm can visit the Worcestershire Trader Register at www.worcestershirets.gov.uk/scams-rogue-traders/checkatrade or call Worcestershire Regulatory Services on 01905 822799.
“If you feel threatened or under pressure, contact the police on 101 or 999 if it is an emergency.
“People can also contact family members, friends or neighbours if they are unsure whether someone is genuine,” added Sgt King.
