Mobility scam warning

Officers from Rotherham Trading Standards are urging the public to make sure they know exactly who they are dealing with before agreeing to any kind of service after receiving reports of a significant number of householders receiving telephone sales calls offering servicing to their mobility scooter.

These calls are being made by an out-of-town trader, who apparently craftily phrases the call to mislead the customer into thinking the call is from their own existing mobility supplier.

Customers only find out the truth  when they get the invoice - from a company they have never heard of - asking for a substantial payment for in some cases, unsatisfactory repairs.

One local company who supplies and services mobility scooters in Rotherham has also reported to Rotherham Trading Standards that numerous customers have complained saying that have been misled into believing the phone calls are from them.

Rotherham Trading Standards Officers are advising that anyone with a mobility scooter should make sure they know exactly who they are dealing with before agreeing to any service and if in any doubt to double check with their own supplier and regular service dealer.

Councillor Jahangir Akhtar, Cabinet Member for Housing and Neighbourhoods for Rotherham Borough Council, said owners of mobility scooters should really be on their guard at the moment.

He said: "Unfortunately, there are some very unscrupulous companies operating out there who have no hesitation in hoodwinking the elderly or vulnerable members of society by such a scam."

Rotherham Trading Standards has also warned that the summer months are a peak time for complaints about so-called 'rogue traders' who carry out home improvement work resulting from cold calls or a knock on the door.

Councillor Akhtar added: "Although door-to-door canvassing as such, is not illegal, cold calling very often results in complaints about sub-standard work. It is very often then extremely difficult to trace the trader to get any redress."

For any advice and to report any concerns please contact Consumer Direct on 08454 040506.