Public protection warn about rogue gangs offering road resurfacing services

Shropshire Council’s public protection service is warning both residents and businesses in the area to be on their guard against rogue traders selling asphalt and surface dressing services, adding that the work was likely to be substandard and worth little more than the cost of the materials used.

This follows a spate of incidents in recent months where a range of businesses, often in remote areas, and consumers have been targeted and some have fallen prey to the scams.

In terms of the businesses targeted, the approach is a cold-call at the premises with a well-rehearsed tale about materials being left over from a nearby roadbuilding or surfacing contract, and the material is initially offered free or for a very attractive price.

In relation to the residents affected recently, the traders concerned have taken to advertising in the local press and giving a misleading impression that they are locally-based, when in reality they are using temporary ‘geographic virtual’ local phone numbers that will simply forward calls to a mobile.

In all cases where work has actually been done, the material used was not asphalt but simply a bituminous liquid topped with small stone chippings, quickly and messily laid on top.

Grant Tunnadine, investigations team manager for public protection, said:

“These cold callers present themselves well, often in the guise of a legitimately formed limited company, and with matching business cards, stationery and work wear: their vehicles are also likely to be showing their name and logos as well as other easily applied cover stickers such as ‘Highway Maintenance’.  We have also seen that these traders are taking advantage of modern technology and using local area coded numbers to mislead people about their presence in the area.”

Mal Price, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member responsible for public protection,added:

“Whilst the selling techniques we have been hearing about can be convincing, especially to those who would be keen to snap up a bargain, our advice is simply not to accept this type of work from cold callers. I would urge anyone who is visited by these traders to report their experiences. All information public protection officers receive better helps them to combat those traders who seek to prey on unsuspecting consumers and businesses alike. If anyone requires work to their property, we would suggest that they take recommendations from friends or family, or consider traders who belong to The Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin Trader Register – www.traderregister.org.”

Anyone who has concerns about any product or service where they feel they have been misled or defrauded in any way should contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 08454 04 05 06 with whom Shropshire Council works in partnership.