INSURANCE SALESMAN NOW TARGETING THE ELDERLY

COMPLAINTS are being investigated by trading standards officers in North Yorkshire about an ex- insurance salesman whom it is believed is now using old client details to target elderly people with doorstep selling.

Reports have been made to North Yorkshire County Council's trading standards unit that an ex-insurance salesman is operating in the Pickering and Malton area, visiting the elderly and persuading them to pay over £250 for advice about attendance and mobility allowances.

Councillor Carl Les, the county council's executive member for trading standards, said: “Advice about these things is freely available from the county council’s social services. Local Citizens Advice Bureaux will also be more than happy to advise and help fill in any paperwork at no cost.

"Once again, it seems that elderly people are being targeted by doorstep salesmen and being persuaded to hand over large amounts of money for something that they don’t need.”

22-8-'03

Contact: Ruth Taylor on 01609-768636 or Stuart Pudney on 01609-766405.

Executive member: Councillor Carl Les (Con) 01677-423702 Mob: 07860-639600

Group spokespeople: Councillor Steve Shaw-Wright (Lab) 01757-708849; Councillor Mrs Caroline Seymour (Lib-Dem) 01642-710382;