Older warnings
Doorstep Crime Update - 30 October 2007
Doorstep Crime Update - 16 October 2007
Doorstep Crime Update - 10 October 2007
Doorstep Crime Update - 30 October 2007
Residents are advised to be wary of a trader selling solar heating systems, who are currently visiting premises in the Ribble Valley and allegedly using hard sales techniques. One complainant claims they stayed for three and a half hours, and tried to charge £10,000, later cut to £6,000.
Secondly, an elderly lady in Preston recently received an unsolicited call from a company trying to sell her a hearing aid and claiming to be calling on behalf of a local hospital. Please warn any elderly relatives or neighbours not to give out personal or financial information in unsolicited phone calls.
In a separate incident, a man in a white van visited a consumer in Rossendale claiming that he was getting rid of carpet off-cuts from recent jobs. He ended up selling her an expensive, poor quality piece that does not fit the room he sold it for. He only left a first name, and a mobile number which does not work.
Finally, information has been received suggesting that upholstered furniture (leather-look two and three piece suites) is being offered for sale door to door in the Lancaster area, by a man driving a plain van and wearing a t-shirt bearing the logo of a major national furniture retailer, which does not sell door-to-door. Although we have so far only received complaints about attempted sales and have not been able to check a sample yet, householders should be aware that Lancashire Trading Standards Service has had problems with such furniture in the past. The UK has strict national laws covering the flammability of such furniture, and such standards may not apply in other countries. If purchasing upholstered furniture always look for both a swing ticket and a permanent label relating to cigarette and match resistance, and do not buy furniture at the door.
Consumers agreeing to deal with cold callers should be aware that they will have a seven-day cooling off period to cancel any work agreed to, or any purchases made over £35, although if the trader has already begun to carry out any job when cancellation occurs, the customer may have to pay for the work carried out so far.
Also be aware that the contract will not be enforceable against the customer unless information about your right to cancel is given in writing.
We advise residents not to deal with cold-callers, to ensure you obtain full name, address and landline details from workmen, and to ask for identification and references from other customers. Also ensure any price you are quoted is fair and genuine by obtaining estimates from other traders, and by ensuring the price to be charged is written down before you agree to the work starting.
Please refer any complaints to Lancashire Trading Standards Service, 56-58 Guildhall Street , Preston , Lancs via Consumer Direct tel 08454 040506. If there is any threat or fear of burglary contact the police at once.
Doorstep Crime Update - 16 October 2007
Residents are advised to be wary of a trader in a black and yellow van who has recently cold called elderly residents in the Thornton area, typically charging £450 for a thin half-inch layer of poorly laid tarmac.
There are also four young men who are dropped off by an older man in a 51 registration white van, who have been cold calling in the Walton-le-Dale area offering to rip off gutters and mend roof tiles. The work done is shoddy and one elderly man was charged £2,500.
In a separate incident, two young men in a white van with blue writing on the side have been targeting elderly residents in the Lancaster area offering to cement loose roof tiles. Even when the offer is turned down the men often go onto the roof anyway, demand hundreds of pounds from householders for unagreed work, and threaten to get solicitors involved when payment is refused.
Finally, information has been received suggesting that upholstered furniture (leather-look two and three piece suites) from Eastern Europe has been coming into Lancashire via freight carriers. If such furniture is offered for sale door to door householders should be aware that Lancashire Trading Standards Service has had problems with such furniture in the past. The UK has strict national laws covering the flammability of such furniture, and such standards may not apply in other countries. If purchasing upholstered furniture always look for both a swing ticket and a permanent label relating to cigarette and match resistance, and do not buy furniture at the door.
Consumers agreeing to deal with cold callers should be aware that they will have a seven-day cooling off period to cancel any work agreed to, or any purchases made over £35, although if the trader has already begun to carry out any job when cancellation occurs, the customer may have to pay for the work carried out so far.
Also be aware that the contract will not be enforceable against the customer unless information about your right to cancel is given in writing.
We advise residents not to deal with cold-callers, to ensure you obtain full name, address and landline details from workmen, and to ask for identification and references from other customers. Also ensure any price you are quoted is fair and genuine by obtaining estimates from other traders, and by ensuring the price to be charged is written down before you agree to the work starting.
Please refer any complaints to Lancashire Trading Standards Service, 56-58 Guildhall Street, Preston, Lancs via Consumer Direct tel 08454 040506. If there is any threat or fear of burglary contact the police at once.
Doorstep Crime Update - 10 October 2007
Residents are advised to be wary of a trader who has recently cold called residents in the Chorley area, offering to carry out driveway and path repairs using tarmac left-over from a previous job.
On one complaint the trader said he would charge £2 per metre and then tried to demand £20 per metre once the tarmac was laid. No cancellation rights were given and the tarmac was placed unevenly on top of existing coatings, blocking drains and other features.
Consumers agreeing to deal with cold callers should be aware that they will have a seven-day cooling off period to cancel any work agreed to, or any purchases made over £35, although if the trader has already begun to carry out any job when cancellation occurs, the customer may have to pay for the work carried out so far.
Also be aware that the contract will not be enforceable against the customer unless information about your right to cancel is given in writing.
We advise residents not to deal with cold-callers, to ensure you obtain full name, address and landline details from workmen, and to ask for identification and references from other customers. Also ensure any price you are quoted is fair and genuine by obtaining estimates from other traders, and by ensuring the price to be charged is written down before you agree to the work starting.
Please refer any complaints to Lancashire Trading Standards Service, 56-58 Guildhall Street , Preston , Lancs via Consumer Direct tel 08454 040506. If there is any threat or fear of burglary contact the police at once.
Lancashire County Council Trading Standards,
58-60 Guildhall Street, Preston, Lancashire PR1 3NU.
Telephone: 0845 600 1352 or (01772) 533573 Fax:
(01772) 533591 Electronic Mail:
feedback@lancashire.gov.uk
