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We are issuing an urgent warning to residents following reports of rogue traders operating in the Finstock area, specifically targeting elderly and vulnerable members of the community. In a recent incident, offenders approached an elderly resident and claimed they had cleaned the property’s gutters, demanding payment for work that was never carried out. This is a scam, and we are concerned there may be further attempts in the area. Please remain vigilant and help protect our community:Check in on elderly neighbours, friends, or relatives – particularly those living alone.Advise them not to engage with cold callers or agree to work on the spot.Encourage the use of door chains and to never open the door to strangers without checking ID.Crime Prevention Advice:Do not pay for work you haven’t requested. Genuine tradespeople will provide a written quote and give you time to consider.Use trusted, local businesses – ideally through a recommendation or a verified trade association.Display a ‘No Cold Callers’ sticker by your front door – these are available from your local council or community policing team.Install a video doorbell or CCTV, if possible, to deter doorstep scammers and help identify them.Always note descriptions of any suspicious individuals or vehicles in your area.What to look out for:Individuals going door to door offering work without prior contact.Pressure to pay immediately, often in cash.Suspicious or unmarked vehicles parked in the area.Lack of proper ID or branded clothing.If you see anything suspicious or have been approached, report it immediately. Try to make a note of: Physical descriptions of the individuals.Vehicle make, model, and registration numbers.Times and dates of any visits.Direction they left in.Report ItIf you or someone you know has been approached or affected by rogue traders: Call 101 to report non-urgent information Call 999 if you believe a crime is in progress or someone is at risk Let's work together to keep our area safe and ensure our elderly and vulnerable neighbours are protected from fraud and doorstep crime. Please share this message with local groups and on social media to raise awareness.
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