Published at 11:38, Friday, 18 November 2011

POLICE and Trading Standards are issuing a warning to cold callers after receiving complaints from elderly residents in Walney.

Trading Standards contacted police after they were called by an 85-year-old local woman yesterday who had opened her door to a group of male cold callers from a firm based in Coventry.

The males informed her she needed maintenance work completed on her property and after feeling pressured, agreed to their quotation on her doorstep. She then contacted Trading Standards.

Police officers attended and spoke to a group of young men who then left the area. Police enquiries are continuing and officers and Trading Standards have been speaking to local residents and are issuing leaflets with advice on what to do when confronted with cold callers.

PC Callum Lennox, who is based in Walney, said: “As we were called to the area and began to make local enquiries, it became clear that around six elderly women had been approached in their homes by cold callers who informed them that their homes needed unnecessary repair work done.

“Our enquiries so far have established that the cold callers had been operating around Walney between 10th and 17th November, and had handed out quotations on doorsteps that have been overpriced. On one occasion, it is believed that a quotation was up to eight times what someone would normally be expected to pay.

“We are working with Trading Standards and police officers will be handing out leaflets in the area and making local enquiries but we are urging local residents to be vigilant and look out for their neighbours.”

Angela Jones, Cumbria County Council's Trading Standards Service Manager, said: “It is sometimes difficult for people to have the confidence to refuse overpriced on-the-spot repairs, so residents should check the identity of any doorstep seller by calling the company direct before letting them into the house or even better - requesting an appointment in writing.

“While it is not illegal for traders to canvas for work in this manner, rogue doorstep trading is an ongoing problem locally as well as nationally. Last year Cumbria Trading Standards received 250 complaints about uninvited doorstep sellers. We want communities to make a stand against doorstep selling and have the necessary support and help to be able to turn away cold callers. The lady who contacted Trading Standards did exactly the right thing. She didn’t invite them into her home and contacted Trading Standards immediately.”

Police advise that people should always be wary of doorstep ‘special offers’ or ‘one-day-only’ deals and if work does need to be completed on your property, shop around for the best price and ensure it is by a trader who is recommended by a trusted friend, neighbour or family member.

PC Lennox said: “I would encourage people to get into a routine of answering their doors safely. If you are not expecting a visitor and someone knocks at your door, put the chain on before you open the door, look through a spy hole or door window or even open a nearby window and speak to the person through that. By getting into a routine of doing this to every unexpected caller it prevents you from being caught off guard by cold callers or rogue traders. It is your doorstep and your decision – if your not 100 per cent sure of who you are dealing with and the deal they are offering - have the confidence to say no.”

For consumer advice or to report a scam, contact Trading Standards via Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.

In an emergency, always dial 999.

Anyone who thinks they have been a victim of fraud can contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or Textphone 0300 123 2050. Action Fraud provides a single point of contact for members of the public to report fraud and gain vital crime prevention advice.

Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk