At this time of year we all like to think about being on a sunny beach with your loved ones around us far away from home and the worries of everyday life. Holidays should be a wonderful part of our life. However experience tells us at Trading Standards that it can all start to unravel even before we are near the airport lounge.

With the demise of the traditional high street travel agent booking your holiday is now a process most of us do ourselves online. This can be confusing with so many choices of places to go and traders to book with, and this can be the time it all starts to go wrong and unravel without us knowing about it. However, there is good news, there are two simple rules to make sure that any worries you have are to do with meeting the baggage limit and not losing everything before you get there.

First of all, let us introduce you to two organisations and what they do.

The first is the Association of British Travel Agents known as ABTA and then the Air Travel Organisers Licence known as ATOL.

ABTA provides protection that if your travel company goes bust, you’re entitled to your money back and this includes any accommodation costs. If you’re already on your holiday, your passage back to the UK will be protected. This means that if anything happens before your holiday you get your money back or if you’re already there you can relax and know that the important things are covered.

ATOL protection covers you before and during your trip. When you purchase a trip that is ATOL protected, you will receive an ATOL Certificate. It will show you who and what is covered, as well as provide guidance on what to do if your travel company stops trading as an ATOL holder. We recommend that you always keep a paper or digital copy of this certificate saved with you. The scheme is designed to reassure you that your money is safe, and will provide assistance in the event of an ATOL holder failure.

However you book your holiday make sure that whoever you book it with is either an ABTA or ATOL member so you will be setting off on the right foot. Doing this will protect you and your money and let the only worry about your upcoming holiday be getting your choice of bucket and spade in your baggage.

Rogue Traders are cold calling in Croydon borough. Some point out problems with guttering and roofing, or offer to do gardening work or tree trimming. They quote a small amount then start raising the costs to do unnecessary work. They are often unskilled and their ‘work’ will result in damage to your property or trees and gardens. They are also likely to fly tip any waste.

Please DO NOT engage or use the services of anyone who cold calls at your door asking if you want work done or telling you that you have a problem.
In addition, please avoid using ‘platform’ sites where you type in details of work you need doing and then get contacted by a trader. We are receiving increasing numbers of reports where consumers are being targeted by rogue traders via these sites.

These sites do minimal, if any, checks on the traders using those sites, and they are often difficult to trace as they use false details to register to use the site. Please also remember you are giving personal information out to people you do not know.

If you require a trader, please look at the following Approved Trader Schemes:

Trust Mark – www.trustmark.org.uk/find-a-tradesman – 0333 555 1234
Buy With Confidence – www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk – 01392 383 430
Which? Trusted Traders – http://trustedtraders.which.co.uk/ – 0117 405 4689

ALWAYS get several quotes in writing from several traders before having any work done. Ensure it includes a breakdown of costs of labour and materials before having any work done. If you have an emergency – please do not automatically use Google and contact the first results – these are often paid for adverts and increasingly they appear to be linked to rogue traders.

If traders become aggressive or intimidating always call the police on 999.
If you have been scammed or duped into contracting with a business or a trader and parted with money, please report to Citizens Advice Consumer Advice Line on 0808 223 1133 or go to the following website to report online:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/get-more-help/if-you-need-more-help-about-a-consumer-issue/

Email: SNMailbox.ShirleyNorthSNT@met.police.uk
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Email: SNMailbox.ShirleyNorthSNT@met.police.uk
Follow us on NextDoor.co.uk

Rogue Traders in Selsdon – February 2024
We have been made aware that Rogue Traders are cold calling in the Selsdon area. They are driving a White Ford Transit van in company with a White Volkswagen Tiguan.

They are telling residents they require roofing or guttering work but actually causing the damage themselves. In some cases they are just asking for money. They are targeting older residents.

Please DO NOT engage or use the services of anyone who cold calls at your door asking if you want work done or telling you that you have a problem.
Please call police on 999 if they try to force you to have work done or put ladders up to your roof without your express permission.

Please keep an eye out for your neighbours and report anything suspicious. Police are currently investigating these recent frauds.

If you require a trader, please look at the following Approved Trader Schemes:

Trust Mark
www.trustmark.org.uk/find-a-tradesman
0333 555 1234

Buy With Confidence
www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk
01392 383 430

Which? Trusted Traders
http://trustedtraders.which.co.uk/
0117 405 4689

ALWAYS get several quotes in writing from several traders before having any work done. Ensure it includes a breakdown of costs of labour and materials.

Ensure you have time to think about the quote before you allow them to start any work. If they attempt to start work without permission, call the police as they could be causing criminal damage to your home.

If you have been scammed or duped into contracting with a business or a trader and parting with money, please report to Citizens Advice Consumer Advice Line on 0808 223 1133 or go to the following website to report online:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/get-more-help/if-you-need-more-help-about-a-consumer-issue/