Residents warned over ‘cheap Tarmac’ scam

Cllr Chris DowlingRESIDENTS in East Sussex are being warned not to be caught out by rogue traders offering cheap Tarmac for sale.

East Sussex County Council has received four reports since the beginning of the month of individuals falsely claiming to be working for the council and offering to carry out driveway repairs using asphalt ‘leftover from roadworks’.

The activity has been focused on the Lewes and Wealden districts, with suspicious activity reported in Duddleswell, Hellingly, Lewes and Ringmer –  where a victim paid out £6,000 to the scammers.

Cllr Chris Dowling, East Sussex County Council lead member for community services, said: “Individuals claiming to offer cut-price leftover Tarmac is, unfortunately, a common tactic used by rogue traders.

“We would strongly urge residents not to allow themselves to be pressured into agreeing to work on the doorstep or handing over cash to cold callers.

“Instead they should take the time to find a reputable trader, which will allow them the protection offered by consumer law, including a cooling-off period following any contract being agreed.

“The council’s highways contractors do not sell on Tarmac to anyone and any left over after resurfacing work is used by the contractor to repair potholes.”

Anyone who believes they’ve been scammed or knows about suspicious cold callers is asked to report it to the national Citizens Advice Consumer Service by calling 03454 040506.