A field of rich pickings for rogue traders

Read Martin’s column every week in the Western Morning News.

- Martin Hesp on Saturday

HERE'S a phrase which talks about one part of the anatomy not knowing itself from its elbow.

There is also a law which declares that when technology makes massive steps forward, it will cause a whole new raft of problems.

These two things can come to mind when we turn on our computers or smartphones. On the one hand we admire the way in which information technology is there to help us, on the other we can be left feeling utterly confused by what we see on our screens.

One minute we're thinking... “This is amazing! In the old days it would have taken me a month of Sundays to research this - now I have all the answers in seconds.”

The next we're groaning... “Hang on... What's this? I need to know more, but who can I trust?”

The silicon chip giveth, and it taketh away.

Here's an example many readers will recognise. In recent times we've been inundated with facts, figures, general information and opportunities around the idea of living in a more sustainable way. Social media platforms are filled with adverts offering all manner of grants and deals for heat-pumps, solar panels, loft-cladding and goodness knows what else.

I saw two ads this week that grabbed my attention. One said: “Do you have old solar panels that no longer work? Act now! Apply for a grant and have them replaced for a fraction of the normal price.”