As part of the ongoing support it provides to quality plumbing and heating installers, The Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors is supporting Scam Awareness Month by calling on members of the public to expose rogue traders whose clever cons can be responsible for people losing thousands of pounds.
Scams Awareness Month take places throughout July and will be highlighting how scams continue to flourish when people stay silent. Figures show that less than 5% of victims report scams to the authorities, and APHC are encouraging residents to report suspicious activities, get advice if they think they’ve been conned, and to warn others to help stop scams from spreading.
Scams come in every form, from doorstep double glazing sales to online investment offers. People may be targeted with “vishing” calls where a fraudster impersonates their bank to collect their bank details, or by bogus companies offering computer services. Online scams include dodgy job adverts and offers for goods and services, while mail scams may ask victims to pay a fee in order to claim their winnings from a prize draw they haven’t entered.
The Scams Awareness Month campaign is asking people to keep two things in mind when they receive an unsolicited approach or when they are looking for goods or services: don’t be rushed and don’t be hushed. People should take their time to make a decision and get their facts together before parting with their money or personal information, and speak out when they think they’ve spotted a scam.
Research conducted by APHC highlights the need for consumers to make essential checks before employing a tradesperson. Findings from a poll of 2,000 homeowners found that 36% did not check any identification before work commencing. Furthermore despite 82% of respondents stating that professional qualifications are an important factor in choosing a plumbing professional, nearly half (45%) did not request information on their tradesperson’s qualifications or experience. Reasons for not checking these included embarrassment to ask for further details and trusting that credentials displayed on websites and work vehicles were correct.
John Thompson, Chief Executive at APHC said: “Scams thrive on silence. Fraudsters know that victims are often too ashamed to share what happened to them, meaning that scams can continue to spread unchecked. We’re urging people to lift the lid on scams and start talking about suspicious email, junk mail, online ads or door-to-door sellers operating in their area.
Mr Thompson added: “By using a member of an established trade association, consumers can be sure that all work will be carried out to a high and more crucially, competent standard at a fair price. We advise homeowners to have the contact details of reputable tradespeople at hand or have access to the right organisations to quickly search for a reputable trader.”
Consumers can source a local APHC approved plumber at www.FindAQualityPlumber.co.uk.
0121 711 5030
