Rogue traders have been going around Islington trying to scam vulnerable people thousands of pounds for dodgy work.

Islington Council has warned people to beware of the con artists after two recent cases in which money was handed over after callers claiming to be builders or roofers turned up unannounced to carry out work.

In one case, a homeowner was charged £20,000 for work on their roof that has not been completed.

Another paid £1,500 for work after a caller claimed falsely to be a builder who had completed other, legitimate, building work in their street. The paid-for work has not been carried out.

In a third case, someone called in a builder to do £1,000 worth of work but ended up being told £30,000 worth of work needed doing.

Islington Trading Standards offers the following advice:

– Be extremely cautious about anyone turning up unannounced offering to do work on your home

– Choose a trader who has undergone, some form of independent validation, for example Which? Trusted traders

– Always get a written quotation and make sure the paperwork has the full details of the company/business, including a postal address

– Do not part with any money until you are satisfied that the business is legitimate, and even then only hand over a small proportion of the money to cover a deposit for materials etc.

Islington’s community safety chief Cllr Andy Hull said: “Rogue traders like this often prey on vulnerable people. We will investigate all such incidents and will take action, including prosecution, where appropriate.

“We urge residents to be cautious and to be especially careful of people who turn up unannounced and offer to carry out building or roofing work.”