An Exmouth woman is warning others to be on their guard against potentially bogus companies.

Pamela Squire, 61, believes she was nearly the victim of a rogue trader offering her a carpet cleaning service.

She has urged other residents in the town to be on their guard.

Pamela, of Raleigh Road, said: “My carpets needed doing. I was offered a deal to get two carpets cleaned for £19.

“This particular business isn’t registered with the business directory and doesn’t have a website. What company doesn’t have a website these days?

“The material they sent out to me all looked very professional, but it’s only when you look at it properly that other things don’t add up.

“My message to others is not to engage with these people. There is something about this that stinks to high heaven.

“My concern is what if someone is offered every service under the sun and they fall for it.

“It can happen and it does happen.”

Trading Standards said this type of scam was sometimes called a ‘bait and switch’.

Devon and Cornwall Police has urged people not to agree to any work being done, if they doubt the authenticity of the business.

Anyone who suspects a fraud should report it to Action Fraud at https://reportlite.actionfraud.police.uk/.