In the wake of last week’s flooding in Perth, residents are being warned by trading standards not to fall prey to doorstep cons.
The fear is people in the city, in the Fairfield and Feus Road areas in particular, may be targeted by unsolicited tradesmen.
Perth and Kinross Council’s community safety convener, Councillor Willie Robertson, said, “We are urging people to be cautious and not to accept building repairs and other maintenance offers from cold callers.”
The warning also coincides with the Office of Fair Trading’s 2010 doorstep selling awareness campaign. Information packs covering the campaign are available on request from trading standards.
Councillor Robertson continued, “During emergency situations like flooding, and over the summer months local residents especially older people are more susceptible to unsolicited approaches about home repairs and gardening work.
“The offers may seem tempting, but you could end up out of pocket and with more problems.”
For further advice and information on how to avoid home maintenance and repair problems, contact the trading standards team on 01738 476476.
Meanwhile, the Scottish Flood Forum have arranged drop-in sessions to give residents free information and advice on the steps they can take to help protect their properties in future.
They are taking place in the Fairfield Neighbourhood Centre, Fairfield Avenue today, July 27, from noon-8pm, and tomorrow from 10am-2pm.
Advice on how to protect your property from flooding is also available from Perth and Kinross Council, the Scottish Flood Forum and the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA).
Photo courtesy of Stewart Lloyd-Jones.