Reports of ’cold calling’ are still being recorded, despite it being illegal for two years.

The Office of Fair Trading says rogue traders are known to be making unsolicited visits offering a variety of house improvement services.

Cold calling, which can include knocking on doors, delivering flyers or unsolicited phone calls has been illegal in the island since 2016.

While delivering flyers is not illegal, discussing potential improvements to a home or carrying out unsolicited follow up visits, is an offence.

OFT chairman Martyn Perkins MHK said: ’Our advice is simple. Do not do business with traders who make unsolicited visits to your home offering to carry out home improvements.’

offence

If a trader persuades a householder to have work done, which they themselves did not seek, that trader will have committed an offence.

John Peet, chief inspector of trading standards, said: ’We continue to work closely with the police and other enforcement agencies to stop cold calling.

’Rogue traders will deliberately target the vulnerable by cold calling and this can lead to the commission of other criminal offences such as distraction burglaries and fraud.

’Victims may not be prepared to give evidence as they are afraid of repercussions, concerned about potential court proceedings or simply embarrassed.

’However, notwithstanding this, it is generally a matter of time before a rogue trader mistakenly targets someone who will give evidence and the OFT will not hesitate to prosecute any rogue trader in those circumstances.’

Offenders are liable to custodial sentences and/or fines under legislation which outlawed the practice.

Anyone who has information on cold calling, has been a victim, or suspects others of being a victim is asked to contact OFT on 686500.