Doorstep callers - your rights
Doorstep sellers in Longton, Hutton and Penwortham
South Ribble Older People's Partnership Board
DOORSTEP UPDATE
12 March 2009
Residents are advised that doorstep sellers have been operating in the Longton, Hutton and Penwortham areas of Preston in the last few days, selling tea towels and other items door to door.
The group consists of a number of salesmen in yellow high-visibility jackets who will split up to cover a residential area, telling consumers they are trying to go straight after a spell in prison.
They visit houses at up to 9.00pm at night.
Anyone who pays cash at the door for any purpose should be aware that they are advertising to any unscrupulous workmen and salesmen who may be around that they keep cash in the house. Residents should also be careful not to let watchers take note of wallets, tins etc where cash is stored.
Although we have no information to suggest these particular traders are breaking the law, we strongly advise consumers never to deal with cold callers.
However, consumers who do should be aware that they will have a seven-day cooling off period for any purchases which are made at the door and cost over £35.
Also be aware that a contract for over £35 will not be enforceable against the customer unless information about your right to cancel is given in writing.
Please refer any complaints or information about any doorstep practices (including high-pressure sales techniques, claims that the trader's livelihood is in danger, refusal to leave when asked, or ignoring "no cold calling" stickers in windows) to :
Lancashire Trading Standards Service,
56-58 Guildhall Street,
Preston
via Consumer Direct, telephone 08454 040506.
If there is any threat or fear of violence you should contact the police at once by telephoning 0845 1 25 35 45.
ANTI-TERRORIST HOTLINE CAMPAIGN 2009
What is the Anti-Terrorist Hotline?
The Anti-Terrorist Hotline is a national asset staffed 24/7 by specialist police officers.
Any information received by them relating to possible terrorist activity is closely looked at, with the officers deciding what, if any action, should be taken.
You can contact the Anti-Terrorist Hotline by dialling :
0800 789 321
A text phone facility for people who are deaf or who have hearing difficulties is also available on : 0800 0324 539
Why do we need it?
The Anti-Terrorist Hotline is the public's direct connection to specialists within the police to report information which relates to helping counter terrorism. This includes the reporting of suspicious activity. The hotline number is also used during major incidents and appeals for information
Although there is no specific threat to any one area, recent events have shown us that a terrorist attack could occur at any time in any area
The Anti-Terrorist Hotline allows the public to report their concerns in confidence
What should it be used for?
The Hotline should be used to report suspicious activity. This could include:
Someone noticeably behaving differently for no obvious reason
Someone with a large number of mobile phones for no obvious reason
Someone with passports or other documents in different names for no obvious reason
Someone who travels for long periods of time but is vague about where they're going
Someone buying or storing large amounts of chemicals for no obvious reason
Someone taking an interest in security, like CCTV cameras, for no obvious reason
Who should use the Anti-Terrorist Hotline?
The Anti-Terrorist Hotline is available to anyone who has information which may be useful to the Police in countering terrorism
When should it NOT be used?
In an emergency or life threatening situation
If a member of the public believes they have found a bomb or explosive device, they should call 999 immediately
Key messages for the public
All calls to the Anti-Terrorist Hotline are confidential
You know your community better than anyone so your vigilance and support is vital
It doesn't matter how small or insignificant the information may seem to you - it may be the final piece of the jigsaw for the police
Don't rely on others - If you suspect it, report it
HOW EASY IT IS ....
26 April 2009
You know how it is. You get on with your day to day life and then something happens out of the blue.
Think about these occurrences - could they happen to you ?
BURGLARY
This occurred between 11.30am and 3.30pm on 22 April 2009.
An unknown offender has approached a wooden double fronted garage which faces onto the road.
The offender has reached in through a previously damaged window and has released the bolt on the inside of the door gaining entry to the garage.
He/she has then taken two pedal cycles from the garage, left one of the cycles on the driveway and made off undetected with the other cycle.
STEALING A VEHICLE
This example occurred at 11.45pm on 21 April 2009.
An offender has stolen a set of keys which had accidentally been left in the front door of the property.
The offender returned at a later time and stole a vehicle off the driveway.
On this occasion, the vehicle was stop checked by the Police a short time later and three persons were arrested.
YOU MIGHT NOT BE SO LUCKY
So remember to be vigilant at all times.
Ensure that all your windows and doors are kept locked and your car keys are kept in a place of safety.
WATER BOARD EMPLOYEES !!!!!!!!!!!
On 28 April 2009, an incident occurred in the Chorley area where a 79 year old lady has been targeted by an offender who stated he was a builder/water board employee currently working on a house nearby.
The male indicated to the elderly lady that she should turn on her kitchen taps and to turn off the stop cock to prevent the build up of water. The offender then requested the aggrieved to carry out the same process on the upstairs bathroom taps and, whilst doing this, the offender has stolen a handbag containing £290.
The only description of the male is that he was white, approximately 165cms tall, clean shaven with short light brown hair.
Although this incident has occurred in the Chorley area, these offenders do tend to move around quite quickly to avoid being caught.
If you have any elderly relatives, residents or friends, please advise them of the above.
DOORSTEP CALLERS - YOUR RIGHTS
Doorstep callers can be selling anything from double glazing, house alarms, household goods or even offering to power wash your driveway for £200.00.
If you agree to deal with these traders, where the contract is agreed at your home, you should be aware that you have a seven day "cooling off" period whereby you can cancel any agreed work or purchases over £35.00.
You should be aware that, where some work has already been carried out, you may have to pay for those goods or services.
Additionally, if you have not received information about your right to cancel in writing, the contract will not be enforceable.
SOUTH RIBBLE PARTNERSHIP BOARD
Our Neighbourhood Watch contact at Lancashire Constabulary tells us that South Ribble Borough Council would like to bring a consultation opportunity to your attention; the event (described below) will be held on 11 June 2009.
Click here to download a consultation form.
VEHICLE MATCHING SCAM
Doorstep Crime Update - beware of vehicle matching scams
4 June 2009
A scam is a scheme designed to con you out of your cash. Car-matching scams involve canvassers cold-calling consumers who have advertised their cars for sale in local newspapers, motor magazines and web sites and promising them that there are immediate and specific buyers for their cars.
Sellers are induced into paying these companies an advance fee and promised that if their car is not sold they will be offered a refund. Unfortunately in many cases the promised buyers do not materialise and neither does the promised refund.
Fraudulent car matching designed to con consumers out of their money when no service is intended to be provided or in fact supplied are against the law.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF
Stop, think and be sceptical if you are cold called and are asked for money in advance.
Don't give your credit or debit card details to people you don't know.
Stop, think and be sceptical if promises are made which gives the impression that there are immediate buyers for your car, that finance has already been arranged for potential buyers, that buyers are willing to pay your asking price or more, there are buyers ready to view your car immediately or that you will be offered a refund if the car does not sell. If it sounds too good to be true it probably is.
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Don't be pressured into anything.
If in doubt about a particular telephone call, hang up.
For more information on vehicle matching scams, click here.
If you think you have been the victim of a vehicle matching scam, or you suspect a scam, call Consumer Direct on 08454 040506 for clear, practical consumer advice or click here to access the web site.
This warning has been issued by the Lancashire Trading Standards Service - click here to visit the web site.
DRIVELINE AND DISCOUNT PAVING
Residents are asked to be alert to a driveways company believed to be cold calling and carrying out paving work throughout the county, using various names including Driveline and Discount Paving.
An address on Windrows, Skelmersdale WN8 8NN (Windrows is a housing estate) is given on some of the paperwork given out by this company. This address is currently occupied by a lady who has no connection with the company.
Consumers who have dealings with this company should be aware they may find it difficult to contact the traders afterwards if there are any problems with the work carried out. If anyone obtains an alternative address for this company please let Lancashire Trading Standards Service know.
Consumers agreeing to deal with traders where the contract is agreed at the consumer´s home should be aware that they will have a cooling off period to cancel any work agreed to, or any purchases made over £35, although in certain circumstances the customer may have to pay for any goods installed or 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 never to deal with cold-callers, to ensure you obtain full name, address and landline details from all workmen, and to double-check identification and references from other customers- do not assume credentials are genuine. Also ensure any price you are quoted is fair and genuine by obtaining estimates from other traders, and by ensuring the work agreed and the price to be charged is written down on a quotation before you agree to the work starting.
Please refer any complaints and further information to Lancashire Trading Standards Service, 56-58 Guildhall Street, Preston, via Consumer Direct by telephoning 08454 040506. If there is any threat or fear of burglary contact the police at once on 999.
BANK SCAM
Just a reminder for everyone to be extremely wary and DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES divulge your personal details.
Your own bank should not be ringing you and asking for this kind of information.
If anyone does receive a telephone call from someone who says they are ringing from your bank and you are not happy with this, please terminate the call and ring your bank immediately.
SPANISH LOTTERY
I (ie the Crime Prevention Officer) am contacted on a regular basis from residents who receive letters advising them they have won the Spanish Lottery.
There are several scams circulating regarding various lotteries and this does give me cause for concern. I know of a number of residents who have been conned into sending off several hundreds of pounds, administration fees, believing they are going to win the £1,000,000 prize money (even though they have not purchased a lottery ticket).
PLEASE do not send off any money to these companies; you are unlikely to get your money back and most definitely will not be receiving the million pounds.
Check out www.hoax-slayer.com for further information on lottery scams.
If anyone would like any further information, please do not hesitate to make contact with me.
BURGLAR ALARMS
The Crime Prevention Officer has visited a Neighbourhood Watch Co-Ordinator today who had received a telephone call from a security firm stating that they were running a Crime Awareness Campaign.
This company advised the resident how many burglaries occurred per second in the country and then offered a burglar alarm and installation free of charge; all she would have to pay would be a monitoring fee.
This person was advised that a representative would visit the property to carry out a risk assessment and also so they could work out how much the cost would be per year for the alarm.
The telephone sales person also asked some personal questions about the age of the lady and also if she lived alone.
PLEASE be wary about information you give out over the telephone.
If you live alone ..... NEVER VOLUNTEER THE INFORMATION.
If an offer sounds too good to be true it usually is!
In instances like this, items are offered free of charge but then a resident is charged thousands of pounds per year for the privilege of having the equipment.
BE WARNED
DOORSTEP CRIME UPDATE
Vacuum Cleaner Sales/ Roof Coatings/ Email Scams
17 November 2009
Residents throughout the county are asked to be aware of doorstep callers distributing cards that relate to free entry into a draw to win a new car.
The draw does seem to be legitimate (and takes place once a year) but consumers are asked to give their details, including a telephone number. Shortly after the initial visit,consumers receive a telephone call to say they have won a weekly draw and their prize is a free carpet cleaning demonstration.
Reports from South Ribble and Poulton indicate the "demonstration" is in fact used as an opportunity to "hard sell" expensive vacuum cleaner systems to residents. Trading Standards advice is to be wary about giving out details on the doorstep and to think carefully before agreeing to let traders visit your home.
We are still receiving reports of various traders cold calling and offering to power-wash moss off roofs and then treat concrete tiles with a protective coating. Several questionable claims are made by the traders relating to the benefits of the treatment, including increased insulation properties. Many of these traders leave consumers with substandard work after insisting on cash payments and do not provide correct details enabling consumers to contact them.
For those residents who have email accounts comes a warning to be on the look-out for emails informing you that you have won almost 1 million Euros on the Irish Sweepstake Lottery. The company involved claims to be based in Ireland and indicate that they are connected in some way with Irish Revenue and Customs. The emails encourage "winners" to send various processing and admin fees via Western Union in order to secure their prize. Needless to say, there is no lottery win and any money that is sent up front will be lost.
Consumers agreeing to deal with traders where the contract is agreed at the consumer's home 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 in certain circumstances the customer may have to pay for any goods installed or 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 never to deal with cold-callers, to ensure you obtain full name, address and landline details from all workmen, and to double-check identification and references from other customers - do not assume credentials are genuine. Also ensure any price you are quoted is fair and genuine by obtaining estimates from other traders and by ensuring the work agreed and the price to be charged is written down on a quotation before you agree to the work starting.
Please refer any complaints and further information to Lancashire Trading Standards Service, 55 Guildhall Street, Preston, via Consumer Direct; the telephone number is 08454 040506.
If there is any threat or fear of burglary contact the police at once.
SHOPPERS BEWARE
Please be extra vigilant when you are out doing your Christmas shopping.
An incident has occurred at Morrison's in Leyland where 3 Eastern Europeans (2 males & 1 female) have been in the store looking over customers shoulders at the till points while they have been inputting their pin numbers. A male and female enter the store whilst the other male parks their vehicle at the far end of the car park.
The male and female were seen approaching a female customer in the car park and the female asked for directions to the Town Centre. The male then looked into her shopping bag, but on realising it was empty, they all made off in the vehicle. A few hours earlier an elderly lady had £600 stolen in similar circumstances in the Town Centre.
The female is described as early 30's, wearing a black suit with a white shirt, black shoes, her long dark hair tied back and carrying a bag. The male was white, very large build with a distinctive flat nose, wearing all dark clothing. The vehicle which was being used is believed to be a Green Renault Laguna.
Although this incident has occurred in the Leyland Area, these people do travel around from store to store and there have been other similar incidents around Lancashire over recent weeks.
WINTER FUEL PAYMENT SCAM
9 December 2009
Please be aware that there have been complaints from older residents about a caller who telephones to inform them that they are entitled to an extra amount on their Winter Fuel Payment or an extra Christmas Bonus.
The caller then asks for personal details such as date of birth claiming that they need to confirm they are talking to the right person. They then ask for bank account details.
These calls are not genuine and no official service would contact a customer and ask for bank details in this way.
Please refer any complaints and further information to Lancashire Trading Standards Service, 56-58 Guildhall Street, Preston, Lancs via the Consumer Direct telephone number 08454 040506.
If there is any threat or fear of burglary contact the police at once on 999.
