Cold calling – don’t buy it!

Trading standards officers in Bury are urging people to stay safe in their own homes by saying a firm “NO” to cold calling doorstep traders.

They are backing a campaign during National Consumer Week to close the door on rogue traders and help end the heartache and financial loss that can be caused by unscrupulous cold callers, who often target the elderly and vulnerable.

Householders are encouraged to download a ‘No Cold Calling” sign from www.tradingstandards.gov.uk. It tells cold calling doorstep traders to go away – those who don't are committing a criminal offence and consumers should report them to the police or trading standards.

As part of the campaign, Bury officers will be supplying free “Bogus Caller Packs” on Tuesday 13 November in Radcliffe at the bandstand in the piazza. The team has also issued packs to local libraries and community groups: anyone who wants one should email tradingstandards@bury.gov.uk or ring 0161 253 5353.

Three ‘No Cold Calling’ zones have been designated in the borough, to make householders feel safer in their own homes.

Peter Jagger, head of Bury trading standards, said: "More than 10,000 complaints are made nationally about cold calling doorstep traders every year, but this is likely to be only the tip of the iceberg – we know victims are often embarrassed and frightened and many incidents will go unreported.

“Our team deals with cold callers who target vulnerable people for expensive, unnecessary and badly done home maintenance work.

"Our message is clear: we think that there is only one way residents can really stay safe from rogues in their own homes, and that is by saying ‘no’ to cold calling doorstep traders.”

Bury Council has a Bury Registered Tradesman Scheme. This includes a list of vetted traders, from builders to glaziers to gardeners and electricians. To read the list online, go to www.bury.gov.uk and look under Trading Standards. For a hard copy of the list, contact trading standards department.

ENDS

Press release issued: 12 November 2012.