Issued By West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service

MISLEADING TELESALES STRIKE AGAIN

A recent flurry of complaints to the West Yorkshire Consumer Helpline about misleading telesales tactics have prompted West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service to remind consumers how they can avoid falling victim to such approaches.

Complaints usually involve an unsolicited, but enthusiastic call from a salesperson declaring, “Congratulations, you’ve won a free holiday, a cruise or other valuable award……”. Despite sceptical questioning, the sales operatives often manage to get the consumer to agree to accept the offer, after all…. “What have you got to lose?”..…… Inevitably there is a catch and when the promised details arrive the offer will be linked to the purchase of  some other product or service, such as signing up for a mobile phone rental agreement.

Martin Wood, Chief Officer of West Yorkshire Joint Services said, “Our advice is to avoid getting in this situation in the first place by terminating any such calls abruptly, making it abundantly clear you are not interested. You can also reduce the amount of such calls by registering with the Telephone Preference Service on 0845 070 0707 or via their website www.tpsonline.org.uk”

Councillor Graham Clarke, Chairman of West Yorkshire Joint Services added, “Once again I would remind consumers that you never get ‘owt for nowt’ in this life, so don’t fall for these smooth talking telesales tactics. If you do end up getting goods you didn’t intend to order you will always have cancellation rights under new Distance Selling Regulations, but it is best not to let it get that far.”

Distance Selling Regulations require that telephone sales and marketing organisations who cold-call consumers at home are obliged to state the business they represent and the purpose of their call. If a contract is concluded over the phone or in the home without any previous contact, consumers have the right to obtain clear information before buying goods and a cooling off period of seven days in which they can cancel.

If consumers do have any concerns they should contact the Consumer Helpline on 01133 848 848 between 8.30-6.30 Monday to Friday and 9.00-1.00 on Saturdays. Alternatively log on to our website at www.adviceline.org.uk or contact our minicom on 0113 2892 265.

For further information please contact:

David Lodge, Principal Trading Standards Officer                                          0113 2898243

Andrew Bibby, Call Centre Manager                                                                 0113 2898237