Island Residents Warned About Rogue Traders And Scams

Island residents are being warned about a rise in rogue traders and scams targeting people at home and through the post.

The Isle of Wight Council's Trading Standards team has been made aware of potential rogue traders offering landscaping, tree surgery and gardening services.

Residents are being advised not to engage with anyone who knocks on their door and claims work is needed on their property.

Instead, anyone concerned about their home or garden should contact a reputable Island trader, either through a recommendation from friends or family or via the Isle of Wight Trader Approval Scheme.

Residents can also request a ‘No Cold Calling’ sticker by contacting the council's Trading Standards team.

The warning comes as Trading Standards says it's also seeing an increase in reports of scam letters.

Some claim to offer help managing the estate of someone who has died abroad, promising a share of a multi-million-pound inheritance.

Residents are warned this is a scam and they will typically be asked to pay money upfront for supposed taxes or administration costs.

Other letters claim the recipient has won millions of pounds in a foreign lottery.

Again, residents are being urged not to respond, as they will be asked to pay fees and will not receive any winnings.

Age UK Isle of Wight has also reported clients receiving scam phone calls from people claiming to represent the charity.

Callers have reportedly asked for information about people's finances and property.

Age UK Isle of Wight says it would never contact people in this way.

Residents are being urged to be cautious about unexpected approaches at the door, by phone or through the post and not to hand over money or personal information.