Police and Highland trading standards officers urge residents to beware rogue traders after Inverness distraction burglary
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POLICE and trading standards officers have urged Highlanders to take care not to fall foul of rogue traders.
They made their plea after reports of a distraction burglary at a home in Inverness where an unexpected leaflet dropped through the letterbox offering landscape works.
The householder responded and invited the bogus workmen to attend. A burglary took place shortly afterwards.
The warning comes at a time of year when many householders are thinking of their gardens, keeping them tidy or seeing to those jobs that need done before the weather turns. It is also a popular time of year for criminals to take advantage of this and prey on the unsuspecting.
Mark McGinty, Trading Standards team leader, said: “My best advice is, even if you are thinking about getting some gardening works done, do not respond to the leaflet and do not engage on your doorstep.
"Householders often give away information that can be exploited, meaning one way or another, the householder is out of pocket.”
If you have been the victim of a crime having received a leaflet through your door, or spoken with a bogus workman, report it to Police Scotland on 101, or Trading Standards on 01463 644570. If the crime is in progress call 999.
Householders can also receive free and confidential advice if they have been approached by a bogus workman.
Consumeradvice.scot is a dedicated consumer advice service to provide advice, assistance and information to people on a range of consumer issues and concerns.
They can be contacted on 0808 164 6000 or alternatively by email at advice@consumeradvice.scot, or via webchat at www.consumeradvice.scot or on Facebook m.me/advice.scot.2
