Steve McCabe MP for Birmingham, Selly Oak is urging his constituents to protect themselves against rogue traders.
Steve recently met with Kevin Croke who set up No Rogue Traders Here 4 years ago in partnership with Birmingham City Council and Trading Standards to help protect people from rogue traders and combat pushy cold callers. The consumer protection service also helps people to find reliable and reputable traders. No Rogue Traders Here offers an online business directory, which provides consumers with free access to a list of over 200 reputable traders who have had their history checked with Trading Standards.Before a trader can be added to the directory they must be passed by Trading Standards, undergo bankruptcy and identity checks and have their home and business addresses verified along with all relevant licences and insurances. All traders are then interviewed and monitored on quality and price.
No Rogue Traders Here’s latest innovation is FACE.ID which aims to protect the public from unwanted cold callers. FACE.ID uses biometric technology, through a smart phone app or laptop, to determine whether the person in front of you is genuinely who they claim to be. It can be used as a tool to confirm the identity of cold callers and tradespeople at the doorstep.Before a trader is issued a FACE.ID they first get their application scrutinised by No Rogue Traders Here. Once a trader has been successfully vetted they are issued with a pin that accompanies their biometrics and this pin can then be given to the person authenticating them. For those unable to use the app there is a contact centre where you can give the FACE.ID users details. FACE.ID will then ask the member at your door to log into their app and confirm who they are.
Steve McCabe said:
“Choosing a tradesman can be difficult and it’s not always possible to be sure that the person at your door is who they say they are. By using a scheme like No Rogue Traders Here when looking for a roofer or a plumber you know that they have been thoroughly vetted and you are far less likely to be left feeling that you have been scammed or unfairly treated.”
“I have been contacted by countless constituents in the past who have fallen foul to doorstep scammers who will take your hard earned money for inadequate or unfinished work. Once they have gone it can be nearly impossible to track them down. Make sure you know who you are talking to and if you do require some work take the time to check the trader you choose is reputable and reliable.”
For more information about how to protect yourself from rogue traders you can contact No Rogue Traders Here call 0800 233 5000 or visit www.safer.to
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