Rogue Trader Alert – Protect Your Thanet Home and Neighbours

 

We are sharing this general alert to remind residents across Margate, Ramsgate, Broadstairs, and the wider Thanet area to remain vigilant against Rogue Traders and high-pressure doorstep sellers.

These criminals use specific tactics to exploit homeowners. Please read and share this advice to help keep our community safe.

Rogue Trader Tactics: What to Watch For

• The "Discovery" Scare: A cold caller turns up uninvited, claiming they have "just noticed" serious damage to your property (e.g., loose tiles, blocked drains, cracked driveway) and stress the need for immediate repair.

• Pressure & Urgency: They insist the issue is urgent or dangerous and offer to do the work "right now" at a special price that "won't last." Their goal is to stop you from seeking a second opinion or checking their credentials.

• No Paperwork: They may work only for cash, refuse to provide a written quote, or lack official business details and verifiable references.

• Substandard Work: Any work completed is often of poor quality, incomplete, or causes new damage, leaving you with a costly problem and no recourse.

How to Protect Yourself and Your Home

Action	What to Do
Do Not Engage	If you don't recognise the company or haven't called them, do not open the door or engage in conversation. Simply say "No, thank you" and close the door firmly.
Verify Everything	Never agree to work from a cold caller. If you genuinely think you have damage, thank them for the notice, then immediately find your own trusted local company and ask for a written quote.
Use Vetted Traders	Only hire tradespeople who have been vetted by a trusted third party. We recommend using official schemes such as KCC Trading Standards Checked or reliable independent sites like TrustATrader.
Take 5: Stop! Think!	Remember, no legitimate business will pressure you to pay or hire them immediately. Take time to check their ID and their reviews.

Reporting Suspicious Activity

Your vigilance helps protect the whole community. If you see suspicious cold-calling activity, or feel threatened:

• Non-Emergency: Report suspicious activity to Kent Police by calling 101 or using their online reporting service.

• Emergency: If you feel threatened, unsafe, or believe a crime is in progress, call 999 immediately.

Please share this alert with friends, family, and neighbours to help keep Thanet safe.

You can also find valuable resources on protecting yourself and others from all types of scams at the government-backed campaign: Stop! Think Fraud - How to stay safe from scams