Text the Council to combat the
doorstep conman
South Tyneside Trading Standards are piloting
using South Tyneside Council's new text messaging service
to send up-to-the-minute warnings to subscribers relating
to possible rogue traders selling poor quality goods
and services around the Borough.
It is particularly aimed at our our elderly
and vulnerable residents, and their carers and over
100 people have already signed up to receive these up-to-the-minute
warnings. Recent surveys show that approximately four-fifths
of the British population either possess or have access
to a mobile phone.
The introduction of this new text messaging facility
allows fingertip access to Council officers and services
and is yet another way that we are targeting cowboy
traders to make South Tyneside a safer place for people
to live."
So how does the new 'txt the council'
service work? First, if you are an elderly resident
of South Tyneside or a carer of an elderly or vulnerable
individual enter and save the number 07786 200 802 into
your mobile phone memory and then text "doorstep"
to that number.
Over the pilot period we will text you
with up to the minute warnings of rogue traders or doorstep
scams that we become aware of affecting the South Tyneside
area. Recent alerts of possible rogue trading relate
to reports that people are knocking on doors selling
tarmac in the East Shields area and leather coats in
parts of Hebburn.
South Tyneside residents who do not own,
or have access to, a mobile phone can still report a
concern about rogue trading issues by calling the Council's
contact centre, on 427 7000 from Monday to Friday between
8am and 8pm and between 9am and 1pm on Saturday.
Alternatively, they can use the e-services section
of this website. More information is available in our
press release.
| 
