Joint Campaign Targets Rogue Traders
Police and trading standards officers visited every bank and building society in the borough during April as part of a campaign to stop rogue traders and people running scam competitions aimed at defrauding Bexley residents. They were giving guidance to staff on what to look out for when elderly or vulnerable people attempt to withdraw large amounts of money by cash or cheques.
"These people are particularly prone to conmen who carry out small scale building or maintenance work and then charge extortionately," says Cllr Katie Perrior, Bexley Council's Cabinet Member for Community Affairs. "Sometimes the victims are put under immediate pressure by the workmen and escorted to banks or building societies to withdraw the money.
"They can also fall for postal scams that can cost them a lot of money."
The teams reminded staff at the banks and building societies about telltale signals which should alert them to possible trouble and about the action they can take if their suspicions are aroused.
A leaflet with contact information and details of what to look out for, and another highlighting some recent success stories, was left for future reference and for use as a training aid.
Police Sergeant Neil Stevenson, of Crayford Safer Neighbourhoods Policing Team, recalls: "One of the examples included in the leaflet relates to an incident last year. Officers were at the premises of a Belvedere building society giving this advice when an elderly lady came in and wanted to withdraw £2,000 to pay into a Canadian lottery.
"Prompt action by the officers on the spot dissuaded her from sending the money and she was able to pay the cash back into her account."
He says: "By working in partnership with Bexley Trading Standards to secure the help of banks and building societies we can stop this kind of crime."
Tina Gibbons, of Trading Standards, says: "It is frustrating to know about these scams but be able to do little more than warn people in a general way about the dangers or, even worse, give advice only after money has been lost - but getting banks and building societies on board gives us a real chance to make it more difficult for these thieves to profit from their callous activities."
Anyone wishing to report suspicious building works or tradesmen can call Bexley Trading Standards on 07716 116452.
