Fake trading standards officers have been reported to be operating in Brighton and Hove.
A cold caller wearing a yellow high-visibility vest with the words “Trading Standards” on it cold called at a house in central Brighton last Wednesday (13 October).
He told the person who answered the door that he had received complaints from the public that tiles were falling off the roof.
The householder turned the man away.
The fraudster was described as a white European man in his forties with dark straight hair and of average height and a stocky build.
A spokesman for Brighton and Hove City Council said: “All our officers carry official identification and should produce this if they were ever to go to a consumer’s home without a prior appointment.
“Trading standards officers do not investigate incidents of unsound private premises and therefore would not make this type of call.”
Councillor Dee Simson, the council’s cabinet member for community safety, said: “We want to make sure residents and consumers are aware of this type of activity so that they won’t become a victim of rogue traders.
“It’s important to let Sussex Police or Consumer Direct know if you have seen rogue traders in your area so that other residents of the city are not going to be affected.”
Anybody who has experienced this type of incident should contact Consumer Direct South East on 0845 4040506 or Sussex Police on 0845 6070999.
