2008
Don't let cold callers leave you hot under the collar advises Consumer Direct
The tactics used by some telephone cold callers can sometimes leave you bewildered or pressured into buying things you neither want nor need, but there are ways to get the upper hand, advises Consumer Direct.
16th April 2008
Last year, the government advice service received over 15,000 complaints about telephone cold callers. The highest number concerned mobile phone contract sales, but the service also received complaints about timeshare, insurance, double glazing and home improvement sellers.
David Sayer, Head of Governance for Consumer Direct North East and Trading Standards Manager for Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council said:
'Cold calling isn't against the law, but callers can sometimes ring at the most inconvenient times and if you're caught out you can agree to things you later regret. The good news is that you often have cancellation rights so it's worth checking where you stand.'
Consumer Direct has put together the following list of tips for dealing with cold calls:
- If you want to reduce the number of cold calls that you receive, consider registering with the Telephone Preference Service by calling 0845 070 0707 or visiting the website at www.tpsonline.org.uk
- Be wary of agreeing to contracts over the phone. If you are interested in the offer, ask for details to be sent to you so you can consider them in your own time.
- If you do agree to a contract, make sure you know who you are dealing with and how to get hold of them. Ask for a name, phone number, address and written confirmation.
• If you agree to a contract you later regret, you will generally have seven days after you receive written confirmation to cancel. If you don't receive this confirmation in writing, you may have up to three months.
• If you don't know who you're dealing with, never divulge any personal financial information.
Further information on your rights is available by calling Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 or visiting the website at www.consumerdirect.gov.uk
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1. Consumer Direct North East is working in partnership with all 12 Local Authority Trading Standards teams across the North East, offering clear practical consumer advice. This covers the NETSA region (North East Trading Standards Association) which encompasses the following Local Authorities:
Darlington, Durham, Gateshead, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, Redcar, South Tyneside, Stockton and Sunderland
2. Consumer Direct North East, based in Redcar, was launched in May 2006. The service is the latest addition to the Consumer Direct network. There are now eleven regional operations in England, Wales and Scotland.
3. Consumer Direct is a telephone and online consumer advice service, managed by the Office of Fair Trading and delivered working in partnership with Local Authority Trading Standards. It provides clear, practical consumer advice to help consumers resolve problems and disagreements with suppliers of goods or services.
4. The service is delivered through contact centres across England, Scotland and Wales and is available to consumers via a single, telephone number and the Consumer Direct website (www.consumerdirect.gov.uk).
5. The information and advice helpline is available on 08454 04 05 06 from 0800-1830 Monday to Friday, and 0900-1300 Saturday, excluding bank holidays and public holidays.
6. To call a Welsh speaking Consumer Direct adviser, telephone 08454 04 05 05. Minicom users should call 08451 28 13 84.
7. Calls cost a maximum of 4 pence per minute from a BT landline. Calls from mobiles or other networks may vary. Your service provider may charge a minimum cost per call. The advice and information given is free.
8. Since it was first launched in 2004, Consumer Direct users have saved significant amounts of money through refunds, replacements and repairs.
Media Enquiries: Sue Gungaram T: 01642 495 681
