2007
Consumer Direct South West is today warning consumers to be extra vigilant when answering the door to uninvited callers.
02 July 2007
Consumer Direct South West has received 283 calls this year from worried residents many of which relate to traders calling door-to-door offering to repair their driveways and homes. The period from late June to September is traditionally the time when many rogue traders will come calling !
Rogue gangs often quote prices but when the job is done you are asked to pay more or you are asked for cash up front and then the gangs disappear without completing the work, leaving you to carry out costly repairs or replacement.
A typical recent case study is that of Mrs M, who called Consumer Direct on behalf of two elderly and vulnerable neighbours who had just parted with £1400 in cash after being 'cold-called' by a gang of tarmaccers. A glossy brochure was shown to them, a 12 year guarantee promised and the finest quality work assured. Within a week, weeds were growing through, the paving crumbled and the trader’s address given turned out to be false. The mobile phone number given was never answered, and there would appear to be little hope of resolution from the trader for the consumers.
Recent figures from Consumer Direct nationally show that more than 8,600 people called last year to complain about unwanted callers offering to sell products or services at the door. The worst month for complaints on a national basis is August (877 complaints last year), followed by September (831) and July (794). Paving gangs generated the most complaints overall (865 in a year), closely followed by complaints about callers offering to do general building work (616), roofing (536), double glazing, guttering, fascias and gardening.
Clive Kenyon, Consumer Direct South West Contact Centre Manager said:
'I would ask householders to always be on their guard when you receive a knock at the door from someone 'just in your area' offering to improve your home. Either refuse to answer the door, or if you do then ask for Identification, seek a written quotation, ask for details of how to cancel - you should be given 7 days to consider ('cooling off') before responding - and tell them you will be in touch. Never hand money over before any work is completed'.
If you are concerned about doorstep callers in your area and if you are worried about calls to elderly or vulnerable neighbours, please contact Consumer Direct on 08454 040506.
Notes for Editors
1. Consumer Direct is a telephone and online consumer advice service funded by government and managed by the Office of Fair Trading. It operates in partnership with local authority Trading Standards Services to offer consumers clear, practical and impartial advice and information.
2. Consumer Direct has around 350 trained advisers in 11 contact centres across England, Wales and Scotland.
3. The information and advice helpline is available on a single national telephone number - 08454 04 05 06 from 0800 – 1830 Monday to Friday, and 0900 – 1300 Saturday, excluding bank holidays and public holidays.
4. A Welsh-speaking Consumer Direct service is available on 08454 04 05 05. Minicom users should call 08451 28 13 84.
5. Calls to the Consumer Direct 0845 numbers are charged at no more than four pence per minute from a BT landline. Call charges from other landline providers or mobile phones may vary. Please check the rate with your phone service provider.
6. Northern Ireland has its own service called Consumer Line which is similar to Consumer Direct. Visit the ConsumerLine website.
MEDIA enquiries:
Bernice Williams: 01209 720285 or David Thomas: 01209 720286
