Trading Standards information
Trading Standards useful information
If you think a business has broken the law or acted unfairly, you can report them to Trading Standards.
Trading Standards use the information you give them to investigate unfair trading and illegal business activity, like rogue traders and scams.
Trading Standards can take businesses to court or stop them operating, but they won’t help you fix your problem - for example, they can’t help you get a refund.
You can get help with your consumer problem from the Citizens Advice consumer service.
The Police offer the following advice:
- Do not accept any services that are offered by people knocking on your door. Instead, find a reliable trader by using the Which? Trusted Traders website at Which? trustedtraders.which.co.uk/ works jointly with Trading Standards to help find trustworthy, reputable traders who offer good customer service.
- Be wary if a trader tries to increase the size or cost of the job once they have started work.
- Don’t be rushed into a decision about having work done, take your time to speak to friends and family, get their opinion and get other traders to quote and give their opinions before going ahead with work.
- Ensure you have a detailed written contract outlining the work to take place, how long it will take and the materials to be used.
- Make sure that you know where the trader is based – traders are legally obliged to include their company’s address on contracts.
- Know your rights in relation to cooling off periods and cancellation of contracts.
For further advice and information visit:
citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/how-to-report-a-trader-to-trading-standards
essex.gov.uk/trading-standards-consumers/report-something-trading-standards