Cold Calling Dangers Highlighted

9th November 2012

National Consumer Week focuses on dangers of cold calling.

“Cold calling – Don’t buy it” is the theme of this year’s Trading Standards National Consumer Week, which begins on Monday (12 November). The aim is to warn householders of rogue doorstep sellers and to protect vulnerable consumers in their own homes and to give them the confidence to say NO and to raise awareness of the fact that refusing to go away is a criminal offence.

During the week, officers from The Highland Council Trading Standards and Northern Constabulary will be at various locations to give practical tips and information about the public’s rights when sales people are cold calling and doorstep selling. The following events:

Monday 12 November
10-12pm – Tesco Extra, Eastfield Way, Inverness
1-3pm – Tesco, Dores Road, Inverness

Tuesday 13 November
10-12pm – Asda, Inverness
1-3pm – The Eastgate Centre, Inverness

Wednesday 14 November
11-1pm – Tesco, Dingwall

Thursday 15 November
11-1pm – Sainsburys, Nairn

Concerned householders can also get advice and confidentially pass on information about doorstep sellers by contacting The Highland Council’s Trading Standards Service on 01463 228700.

Councillor Graham Phillips, Chairman of the Council’s TECS Committee said: “The problems associated with rogue doorstep sellers and the heartache and misery experienced by the victims and their families has been well reported across the country. The problems are no different in Highland. I’m delighted that both Trading Standards and Northern Constabulary have teamed up to support this very worthy week of national action and can enlighten local shoppers of the need to be alert. It’s OK to say NO on your doorstep.”

Gordon Robb, Trading Standards Manager, said: “Over the last couple of years doorstep selling has been the subject of too many complaints received by Trading Standards. Our experiences have shown the perpetrators to offer mainly home maintenance services such as tree cutting, de-mossing a roof or more recently home insulation. The victims are mainly left out of pocket and unsure if the works done are satisfactory. Despite our repeated warnings and discussions with the local community the problem persists. The opportunity to work with Northern Constabulary in this national week of action has been welcomed and officers will be present to offer advice to the public on what to do when faced with a doorstep caller, the best advice being of course to be aware and have the confidence to say no.”