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Trading
Standards and Police in Cumbria have teamed up with branches of Age Concern
across the County in a bid to foil rogue doorstep callers.
A
simple guidance card has been produced for the elderly.
It gives advice on how to handle doorstep callers.
It lists 8 simple steps to consider when confronted with a cold-caller.
It also explains what not to do, which is just as important.
The card can be placed on the wall by the front door, so the householder
has it to hand when answering the door.
Phil
Ashcroft, Head of Trading Standards, said “Doorstep
salesmen and tradesmen knocking on peoples’ doors touting for work are a
constant problem. They often come
from outside the County, generate a
disproportionate volume of complaints about poor quality workmanship, carry out
work that isn’t necessary and then are impossible to contact if the job
hasn’t been done satisfactorily. They
frequently massively overcharge for the work, and sometimes they have more
sinister motives. My advice is simply not to deal with doorstep callers”.
A
spokesperson for Age Concern said “
We have dealt with a number of cases where bogus callers have targeted older
people. Our advice is not to deal
with doorstep traders. If there are
any services you need, always insist on a prior appointment – any genuine
trades people will not be offended”.
Inspector
Colin Davies, Cumbria Police Community Safety Officer, said “ Unfortunately,
among all doorstep callers there will be a number who have a criminal motivation
and will use any excuse to gain access to people’s homes to commit theft. Our advice for anyone who receives an unsolicited caller at
their home is to always use a doorchain, check the caller’s identity
thoroughly, and if still concerned about the caller, call the police. The police are keen to work with the community to reduce the
problems caused by doorstep callers”
Notes
for Editors:
1.
The Guidance Card is attached.
Anybody who wants one free, irrespective of their age, should contact Trading
Standards Headquarters on 01539 773594 or any branch of Age Concern in the
county.
2.
The launch of the card coincides with National Consumer Week (11-15
November 2002), which this year has as its theme “Foot in the Door”.
For a list of all the events occurring this week as part of National
Consumer Week, contact Jacqui Guerreiro at Trading Standards Institute on 0870 872
9000.
3.
Cumbria Trading Standards are taking part in a survey aimed at people
across the country to gauge the public’s attitude on Doorstep Selling.
The questionnaire will be sent to 2500 Cumbrian households,
as are 50,000 nationwide. Results
are expected to be available in the New Year.
4.
For more information on this press release contact Phil Ashcroft or Pat
Thomas at Cumbria Trading Standards (01539
773586 and 01539 773591), Inspector Colin Davies at Cumbria Police (01768
217924) or Police Press Office (01768 217009), or
Age Concern on any of the following numbers:
Paul
Jenkins, Age Concern Barrow
01229 831425
Jessica
Riddle, Age Concern Carlisle
01228 536673
Mary
Bradley, Age Concern North West Cumbria
01946 66669
Valerie
Brook, Age Concern Eden
01768 863618
Mary
Christian, Age Concern South Lakeland
01539
728118