I was watching the TV programme Rogue Traders the other day on BBC1 and was wondering why there isn't a law that goes like this:

"If an independant trader is caught trying to trick or cheat his customers he will be banned for life from working in that profession."

I just don't understand why this isn't the case. Clearly there will be a big problem with Consumer Rights until a law like that is passed.

At the moment dishonest traders get shamed for a week on the show (that's if they are very unlucky and get targeted) but they are then left free to go on and cheat their customers again and again and again. WTF are politicians doing???

To be fair the government does have schemes to protect the elderly where they can call up a helpline for advice and even have an inspector come around to check the work (before and after). In addition most of the well known professions have their own trade associations where membership can be revoked for upheld complaints.

Ultimately cowboys continue to profit because there will always be customers who try to fiddle the taxman and pay cash under the table, then when things go wrong they have little legal recourse.

You have to look at the structure in place to deal with wrongdoers.

For example in London there is a Trading Standards department in every borough instead of London-wide.

But then the FSA hasn't worked in Fin. Services.....

Or look at the Serious Fraud Squad which don't bother shutting down other companies either.

Got a proposal on a solution? Perhaps it requires explicit licensing which is counter-intuitive in the "Anglo-Saxon get the govt out of my life" ethos...

Clearly as con artists, they don't have to know anything about their trade and therefore, if they are banned from one trade, they would just move into another, which would be just as easy for them to con people from. The courts should sequestrate all of the ill gained money and property from the *******s, that prey on the old and gullible. Bring back the birch!

Unfortunately, there is nothing to stop these traders from setting up a new business under a new name even after they have been caught. i remember years ago, my folks had their own business; they were soon left with unpaid invoices by companies who went into liquidation, and opened up the next day, on the same premises with a slightly different name. it's disgraceful really.

i have read that the government is trying to deal with it at not only a national level, but at a local level, allowing local government authorities to have some control, but alas, each local authority has a different approach.

Best thing to do is contact the office of fair trading/trading standards if you have been affected, and be vigilant when looking for tradesmen/services. although the government is there we need to be more proactive in stopping these fraudsters when we get the chance.