Trading Standards have been alerted to issues of uninvited doorstep callers in the Walsgrave area of the city.

The report suggests that elderly residents are being deliberately targeted by two males going door to door offering work. They are driving an unmarked white Ford Transit van.

We would also ask that if you have any elderly or vulnerable neighbours that you keep a look out for rogue traders especially if you notice cold callers in your area or anyone acting suspiciously. It would also help if registration numbers of vehicles being used by the cold callers are noted down and reported.

In Canley, an elderly resident who was persuaded to have their drive ‘sealed’ at a cost of £500 by conmen back in 2015 reported that the same rogues had been back to see if they wanted it sealing again, obviously at a further cost!

Meanwhile in other parts of the city, illegal advertising signs have been seen on street furniture, such as lamp posts. There have also been instances of adverts on wooden pallets being displayed on the pavement where claims are being made that the trader is a member of several different trade organisations. No geographical location of the company or even a website is offered.

We would always advise against employing a trader advertising by these means. However, if you do decide to, at least make a call or send an email to the trade associations mentioned to confirm they are in fact members. One phone call could save you both money and stress in the future.

If you have any information that may help us track down these unscrupulous cold callers or you wish to report any incidents involving a rogue trader or doorstep crime, contact us on 03454 040506 or use our online reporting form.

Our advice as always is not to deal with cold callers as this is a favoured approach used by rogue traders whose sole intention is to extract as much money from residents as possible.

REMEMBER - a trader who ignores any request by you to leave your home and not return commits a criminal offence.

If you do need work on your property or garden, use a reputable local trader recommended by friends or family or someone who has been vetted and is part of the Age UK (Coventry) Trusted Traders Scheme. This service is available to people of all ages living in the Coventry area and can be contacted by phoning 024 7643 3982.

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Colleagues in Warwickshire have issued the following warning which Coventry residents should take note of:

Nuneaton residents and businesses are warned to watch out for  a known gang of rogue traders falsely claiming to be Warwickshire Highways staff, operating across the town.

A Nuneaton trader was approached by men who appeared to be carrying out some tarmacking work on the road/pavement outside his business. They told the trader that they were Warwickshire Highways staff and offered to fill in the pot holes in his driveway/car park with some 'left over' tarmac.

The trader did not agree to the work but they started anyway before demanding £2000.

This is the first time that Trading Standards Officers have encountered rogue traders using small amounts of tarmac on the road/pavement to give the impression they are genuine highway workers.

Warwickshire Highways staff will NEVER offer to carry out tarmacking work on the private properties of traders or residents. The same applies to Coventry Highways staff.

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We are reissuing this warning (originally issued in May 2015) following a report from a local business who received a letter from a German based firm asking for a form to be completed to include their VAT registration number in a directory.  

It is headed: ‘Publication of companies and VAT Registration Numbers in the UK Corporate Portal 2017’.

The letter suggests that due to new EU legislation the information has to be provided but if business owners complete and return the form they will be liable for £797 per year for the next three years.

Our understanding is that if you pay, all you will get is a business entry in an online advertising register.

Our advice: ignore the letter and to be vigilant when receiving any requests for information from an organisation unknown to you.

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A new UK campaign, starting on Sunday 19 February, aims to raise awareness about the growing problem of online dating fraud.

The campaign, 'Date Safe', suggests criminals are using love letter templates and an online search could flag up some of the stock phrases.

The Date Safe campaign is a partnership between Get Safe Online, Victim Support, AgeUK, City of London Police, the Metropolitan Police and the Online Dating Association.

Police say the average dating scam victim is aged 49 and loses £10,000.

The new report, published by the City of London Police and the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau, also reveals that on average, money is transferred within 30 days of initial contact with the perpetrator.

Read the full report.

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From 1 March, manufacturers will not be allowed to sell backless booster seats for smaller children.

However, parents who already own one will still be able to use them for children weighing more than 15kg (2st 5lbs).

The forthcoming rules mean children using new seats will have to weigh more than 22kg and be taller than 125cm.

They are to be brought in after the United Nations warned booster seats without backs are not safe for smaller children because they do not protect against side-on collisions.

See more information on the new booster requirements and how to comply with the law.

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