Ipswich Borough Council has issued a warning after reported incident of bogus traders posing as council staff in Ipswich on Thursday.
The council was alerted around 2pm by a tenant of a council property who said two men dressed in orange overalls came to cut one of the trees down in her garden, stating they had been called by the borough council.
After doing the work the pair allegedly tried to charge her, but she refused to pay after challenging them for ID which they could not produce. They were reported to have been in a plain white van, and left after she refused to pay.
A borough council spokesman said: “Ipswich Borough Council staff never turn up at people’s homes offering to cut down trees for cash.
“All our operatives have official ID.
“If in doubt please contact us on 01473 433516 or, if you are concerned about their behaviour, report the matter to the police and Suffolk Trading Standards on 03454 040506.”
Trading Standards has issued advice to homeowners in light of the reports, and urged caution if they are visited by a cold calling worker.
A spokeswoman said: “Always get quotes for work and don’t agree to work being carried out immediately if you are cold called.
“Ask friends and neighbours for recommendations or find a trading standards approved trader using checkatrade.com.
“If you are cold called and feel pressured by a trader, politely ask them to leave and report any incidents to Trading Standards through citizens advice consumer helpline on 03454 040506.”
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