Bid to tackle cold call rip-offs

10:40am Friday 25th July 2008

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WORCESTERSHIRE County Council is reminding people to display a notice to callers card and say “no” to doorstep callers.

Each year, trading standards receives complaints from residents who have been ripped off after being cold called. Cold callers are often reported to the service for deceiving people into having unnecessary work, grossly overcharging or not carrying out the work agreed.

Officers are advising residents to stop falling foul of the practice by never agreeing to have a job done on the spot by people who call without an appointment.

To further assist residents in combating the crime, trading standards produces a notice to callers card that identifies households will not buy from doorstep traders.

The notice also contains useful information on how to deal with cold callers and other workmen who might call.

Conservative councillor, Derek Prodger, the county council’s cabinet member for the environment, said: “The blight that rogue traders cause people by cold calling is despicable. We are keen to see these cards up at every residence in Worcestershire and let rogue traders know that we do not buy from callers at the door.

"We work closely with our local policing units and Neighbourhood Watch to ensure these cards are available to everyone and I would urge people who haven’t yet got one to get in touch.”

Anyone wanting a notice to callers card should call 01905 765394.