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Rogue Traders and scammers pretend to be legitimate traders or salespeople. They offer goods, services or repairs, but with no real intention of carrying out anything in return for your money.

Rogue Traders

Any work that has been carried out by a rogue trader is often poor quality at a very high price. You may find that problems may arise further down the line, or that you are not happy with the quality of work given. When this occurs, it is often difficult to trace the traders because they:

  • have no fixed address
  • are highly mobile
  • do not leave any paperwork or contact details

Rogue Traders can target anyone and anywhere, including on your door-step. Although door-step selling is not illegal, you must be vigilant. Never allow anyone access in to your home you do not know.

There are certain areas within Dudley borough that are now ‘No Rogue Trader’ zones. We have taken steps to provide increased awareness to consumers in these areas, including signs to deter any of these rogue traders.

What will happen when I make a complaint?

We will investigate any rogue traders reported. The quicker the report is submitted, the more we can do to help in the hope that the traders are still in the area or nearby.

In certain circumstances Dudley Trading Services or the police will attend a rogue trader incident within the hour of being reported.

Rapid Response Service

Rapid response is provided Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, subject to staff available.

We will endeavour to arrive on site within 1 hour of the Rogue Trader incident being reported. This is only under the following circumstances:

  • The trader/offender is still present at the householder's home
  • The trader/offender has left, but is believed to be nearby
  • The trader/offender has left, but is expected to return
  • A bank or building society has raised an incident that an elderly/vulnerable person has been escorted by a trader/offender to draw out a large amount of cash for work on their home
  • The householder is particularly distressed/vulnerable and needs urgent victim support
  • The trader/offender has left, but there is a need to attend the scene to secure evidence which may be lost later on

Make a Complaint

Online complaints: Citizens Advice Consumer Service

Telephone helpline: 0808 223 1133

Calls from mobiles and landlines are free. Lines are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Lines are closed on bank holidays.

Out of Hours: 01384 812045 (24 hours)

Scams

Scams are misleading or fraudulent schemes to cheat consumers and businesses out of their money.

They take many forms but typically bogus and fraudulent offers are sent by post, telephone or email. These include:

  • fake lottery and prize draws
  • online dating
  • computer support
  • get-rich-quick investment cons
  • 'miracle' health cures

These are just some of the tricks used by scammers.

If you, a family member or a friend think you may have been a victim of a scam you can report this to the Citizens Advice Consumer Service. They will provide you with practical, and impartial advice, as well as help to stop others being scammed.

More Information

More information on different types of scams is available from: