POLICE are asking people to be on the lookout for itinerant builders who have been targetting the Tavistock area after an elderly lady was charged almost £900 to have her guttering repainted.
Reports suggest individual builders are part of a larger group of conmen who cold call at houses and offer to do various building jobs for an undisclosed fee.
They then complete the required job with poor, and possibly dangerous, workmanship before requesting exorbitant fees.
Police believe the men may offer printed assurances on headed paper, and equivalent guarantees, neither of which are genuine.
Anyone subject to an approach from these workmen is asked to refuse any offers and to call the police on 08452 777444 or the Trading Standards Office on 01392 382818.