According to North Northamptonshire Council, Trading Standards have seen a recent increase in local businesses being targeted by unscrupulous traders.
It has been brought to the council’s attention that businesses in North Northamptonshire are being cold called by traders who offer to carry out services, including remedial works, “free of charge”.
Businesses who agreed have then been presented with demands, in some cases aggressively, for payment.
You can access useful information on scams for businesses here.
The ‘business scams’ guide explains how to spot and then avoid getting caught out by scams targeting businesses.
The guide states: “A scam is a dishonest scheme that aims to get money, or something else of value, from its victims.
“Many well-known scams are targeted at private individuals or consumers, but there is also a range of scams that target businesses. All sizes and types of businesses can be vulnerable to scams. The losses to individual victims range from a few tens of pounds up to millions.
“If a business understands its own vulnerabilities and can recognise a scam for what it is, it can reduce its risk of being caught out.”
Topics such as persuasion techniques, warning signs, common business scams, refusing to pay and being prepared are covered in the guide.
It is important to prevent any local business falling foul of this type of business activity.
If you wish to report such activity, contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service here.