Flintshire trading standards warning over tool sharpening scam

Flintshire Trading Standards officers are warning local businesses about a well known scam which could make its way into the local area. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

There has been an increase in reports by businesses in South Wales who have been “cold called by males” offering to sharpen tools for £3 or £4 per tool. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The tools are then taken away to be sharpened and when they are brought back the price has increased and changed to £3/£4 per millimetre instead. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“The males are threatening and aggressive when businesses have refused to pay and there has been a case of violence against a trader.” Trading Standards say. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

An actual instance of the scam published on the British Independent Retailers Association website highlights one business owners experience. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

They were presented with a bill for more than £2500 after being pestered into having tools sharpened. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The workshop owner refused to pay but “could not get rid of them” and felt threatened by the men. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The business owner offered the men a lesser amount which they accepted. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

A Flintshire Trading Standards spokesperson said: “Please do not agree to have any work done with traders who cold call your business. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

If you are approached by anyone offering this service contact Trading Standards on 01352 703181 or North Wales Police via the live chat facility: https://www.north-wales.police.uk/contact/live-chat-support  ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

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