OFT warning after cowboy builder reports

Thu, 17 Feb 2022

People are urged not to employ traders who illegally cold call them and tout for work after the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) reported an influx of cowboy builder reports.

The OFT is urging property owners to be on their guard and look out for vulnerable friends, relatives and neighbours who could fall foul of such unscrupulous traders.

Cold calling is a favoured technique of cowboy builders, but this is illegal on the Island, so anyone doing so should be reported to the OFT immediately.

People using this approach can be persuasive and offer appealing work that is cheap, quick and often not needed. However, this is often achieved using poor quality materials and leads to sub-standard work which is not guaranteed.

Anyone who was already agreed to work as a result of a cold call is encouraged to contact the OFT as the law may allow this type of contract to be cancelled.

Anyone who agrees to any building work should have a contract so there are no nasty surprises, and importantly, inflating prices may now be an offence under the Consumer Protection Regulations.

People who are concerned they have already fallen foul should contact the OFT on 686520 or emailing iomfairtrading@gov.im

 

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