The team has received reports of doorstep callers trying to persuade residents to buy, what they claim is, fresh expensive fish.
Residents have spent up to £200 but when they cook the fish they have discovered the packs are not labelled and their contents are not what they were told.
The sellers also tend not to offer customers cancellation rights or provide a receipt to allow them to seek a refund if they are not satisfied with the goods.
We would advise people that the best place to buy fish is from a reputable fishmonger at an established shop or stall. Rogue traders often call on unsuspecting households to persuade people to buy their goods, but very often they are selling poor quality items with no opportunity for the consumer to ask for a refund or replacement.
“It can often be difficult to spot a rogue trader and can sometimes be hard to say no, especially as rogue traders often use high pressure sales tactics and can be very persuasive. We all like the idea of a bargain, but if the deal sounds too good to be true, then it probably is. Trust your instincts and never buy from doorstep callers.”
Anyone who has been approached by fish sellers in this manner should contact the
Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 04 05 06.
Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 04 05 06.
Further information can be found on www.bathnes.gov.uk/services/trading-standards/rogue-traders-and-scams/doorstep-scams
