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| Issued By West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service |
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| Issued By West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service |
TELEPHONE SALES AND JUNK MAIL: KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
Unsolicited
telephone calls and faxes and increasing amounts of junk mail are just some of
the intrusive sales techniques, which West Yorkshire consumers have reported to
the West Yorkshire Consumer Helpline. Local businesses have found their
fax machines churning out pages of worthless offers and opportunities. Worryingly,
a lot of cold telephone calling results in vulnerable consumers being persuaded
to purchase expensive and unnecessary goods and services.
West
Yorkshire Trading Standards Service is urging consumers and sole traders to
protect themselves from all unwanted direct marketing tactics.
Telecommunications Regulations allow private individuals to register their
telephone / fax number or address on a database. If they do so, in some
circumstances, it is illegal for traders to make unsolicited contact with them.
To register by telephone, letter or online, you can contact:
DMA
House, 70 Margaret Street, London, W1W 8SS
Telephone
Preference Service 0845 070 0707 www.tpsonline.org.uk
Fax
Preference Service 0845 070 0702
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.
Martin
Wood, Chief Officer of West Yorkshire Joint Services said,
“Many of these companies are hindering business by wasting
time and paper, others are using undesirable sales techniques at the expense of
the vulnerable. If your home or business is adversely affected by direct
marketing why not do something about it.”
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.
David Lodge, Principal
Trading Standards Officer 0113 2898243
Andrew Bibby, Call
Centre Manager 0113 2898237