| West Sussex Trading Standards Bulletins |
28th April 2008 Unsolicited Direct Marketing Calls Trading Standards have received complaints from consumers who are getting unsolicited telephone messages from persons alleging to be Debt Clearing Agents, Banking Centres and Consumer Advisers. The content of the recorded messages left after these calls indicates that by pressing button 5 on the phone you can find out more. These calls appear to originate outside of the U.K. and therefore are outside of the scope of the Telephone Preference Service. On investigation, if you press any button you probably be charged for the call. Although the contact numbers left are not premium rate numbers there are no controls for marketing calls made within the U.S.A. - unless they are made on behalf of a U.K. company. Please be forewarned! Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS) the helpline provides free and impartial advice to people with debt problems. The freephone helpline is open between 8am and 8pm from Monday to Friday. 0800 138 1111 National Debtline the helpline offers free, confidential and independent help over the phone. The freephone helpline is open between 9am and 9pm from Monday to Friday, Saturday 9.30 am to 1pm. 24 hr voicemail for requests for information packs or factsheet. "http://www.nationaldebtline.co.uk" 0808 808 4000} Citizens Advice Bureaux - you can find your local CAB by searching the website or your local telephone directory. Citizens Advice Bureaux provides free, confidential and independent advice from over 3,000 locations. "http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk"
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21 FEBRUARY 2008 Cold Calling Please be aware that Trading Standards and the Police have received various reports of cold calling across West Sussex by persons claiming to be representatives of such organisations as the: Waterboard, Gas and electricity suppliers, TV licence inspectors, Collectors of old washing machines, dishwashers etc. Always think twice before you open your door to anyone that you do not know. Our advice as always is: STOP - Are you expecting anybody? Do they have an appointment? Secure your door with a CHAIN before opening the door Ask for and CHECK any ID that the caller gives you. Do not use the telephone number given on the ID but use a telephone number from the telephone book. If you are in any doubt about a caller to your door then please call Trading Standards Consumer Direct on 08454 040506 or the Police on 0845 60 70 999. |
Latest Trading Standards News - 12 February 2008 Cold calling We have received reports about a company who is cold calling on West Sussex residents offering therapy aids such as massage beds and chairs following a free massage. The company appears to be targeting elderly residents. Many of the reports we have received are from residents who have not liked their selling methods and have taken Trading Standards advice of "don't buy at the door", (a big well done to all of those). Any allegations of high pressure sales are extremely worrying, and we are very interested in all information you are able to pass to us that make this allegation. The company gives seven day cancellation rights, (a requirement for nearly all contracts made after cold calling), so if anyone has signed up on the spot and wishes to cancel , they can do so providing they act quickly. If you or any person you know has a medical condition that could be addressed by any of these type of therapy aids, please seek advice from your doctor first - to make sure that any aids purchased are suitable for your needs. You may also find any equipment that is required is far cheaper elsewhere |
Scam e-mails Please note that we have received reports of "scam e-mails" being sent to customers of Lloyds TSB. Please use the link below to take you to Lloyds TSB site and the latest information on scam e-mails. This should be read by all people who use a bank/on-line banking etc. http://www.lloydstsb.com/security.asp?link=side_navigation Llyods Bank latest on e-mail scam Fraud alert - Email 'Phishing'scam Some of our customers have received fraudulent emails asking them to confirm information such as Internet banking or telephone banking User IDs, Passwords and Memorable Information . These are not genuine emails. If you receive such an email, please do not click on any link or provide any Internet banking or telephone banking log on details. While we may send you emails from time to time , we will never send emails asking for your Internet banking information. For a quick way to tell if an email is genuine, check for your name at the top of the email. We know who you are so we always greet you personally, but fraudsters are unlikely to know your name. The aim of many email scams is to lead you to websites that may look like the lloydstsb.com site but are in fact spoof sites. If you suspect you' ve received a fraudulent email, please forward it to us for investigation at emailscams@lloydstsb.co.uk} and then delete it from your inbox. This information will be used to help reduce online fraud. |
Identity Theft Please note that callers claiming to be from a catalogue company selling bed linen etc, are operating in the Crawley area. If you receive a visit by these people , DO NOT DEAL AT THE DOOR and DO NOT GIVE YOUR PERSONAL DETAILS. If you are made aware of someone having received a visit from these people please ask them to call Trading Standards as soon as possible at Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06. |
Cold Calling Incidents Trading Standards cannot express strongly enough that our advice is always DO NOT DEAL AT THE DOOR. You do not know who you are dealing with. If you have not asked for and checked any ID given to you - then you will have no one to complain to if the goods are of unsatisfactory quality, go wrong, or you later find out that you have paid more for the goods than they are worth. Never allow a doorstep trader to drive you to the bank so that you can get money to pay them. Vinyl Flooring - Horsham Area A resident in the Orchard Road area of Horsham has been approached by men alleging that they had been working in the Brighton Road area, and had some left over vinyl and other floor coverings and asked if he would like to buy some. The resident agreed to buy some vinyl flooring and the men said that they would supply and fit the vinyl for £200. The men drove the resident to the bank, upon drawing the money out he handed the cash to the men. The men returned the resident back to his home and delivered the vinyl flooring - they did not fit the flooring. If you are in any doubt about someone calling to your door KEEP THEM AND OUT and call the Police on 0845 6070999 or contact Trading Standards at Consumer Direct on 08454 040506 . If you need goods or services in or around your home always ask for recommendations from friends and family. Trading Standards operate an approved trader scheme called Buy With Confidence. For more information please call 08454 040506. |
Fire Brigade's Concerns The Fire Brigade Service are concerned about reports that there is a man/men calling at residents homes particularly in the Mid Sussex area offering safety advice and selling safety products such as fire extinguishers and security boxes. The advice they offer is that a small fire can be treated with the extinguisher they are selling and that the resident will then be able to leave their home and contact the Fire Brigade - this is dangerous advice . The men are described as wearing black trousers and white shirts with lapels on the collar, possibly with a badge reading "Regional Fire Services". They appear to be giving the impression that they are from the Fire Brigade Services - please be aware that they are not. Our advice as always is: DO NOT DEAL AT THE DOOR - In matters of health, safety and /or security you should always seek advice from a professional body. Remember: - Are you expecting anybody? Do they have an appointment? Secure your door with a door CHAIN before opening the door Ask for and CHECK any ID that the caller gives you. Do not use the telephone number given on the ID but use a telephone number from the telephone book. If you are in any doubt about a caller to your door - KEEP THEM OUT - and call the Police on 0845 60 70 999 or Trading Standards at Consumer Direct on 08454 040506. |
Jewellery being sold from a car. We have been receiving reports from the Police of a female trying to sell jewellery from her car, this has occurred in the Crawley area .The car is a Blue Vauxhall Vectra. The seller is described as female, white, wearing a denim skirt and hooded sweat top with a handbag over her shoulder. Please do not buy from sellers who approach you in the street or in a car park etc. You do not know who you are dealing with. You will have no one to complain to if the product is not of a satisfactory quality, or if something goes wrong. You will most likely pay a lot more than you would in a shop for the same quality of product. If you are approached or are aware of any such occurrences please report these to the Police on 0845 60 70 999, or call Trading Standards at Consumer Direct on 08454 040506. |
12 February 2008 Dear All We have received reports about a company who is cold calling on West Sussex residents offering therapy aids such as massage beds and chairs following a free massage. The company appears to be targeting elderly residents. Many of the reports we have received are from residents who have not liked their selling methods and have taken Trading Standards advice of "don't buy at the door", (a big well done to all of those). Any allegations of high pressure sales are extremely worrying, and we are very interested in all information you are able to pass to us that make this allegation. The company gives seven day cancellation rights, (a requirement for nearly all contracts made after cold calling), so if anyone has signed up on the spot and wishes to cancel , they can do so providing they act quickly. If you or any person you know has a medical condition that could be addressed by any of these type of therapy aids, please seek advice from your doctor first - to make sure that any aids purchased are suitable for your needs. You may also find any equipment that is required is far cheaper elsewh |
We have
received reports of persons cold calling to residents
homes giving away" raffle tickets to win a car or
£6000. One resident who accepted one of these tickets was told the next day that although they had not won the top prize - they had won a free carpet shampoo. When the male arrived to shampoo the residents carpet he spent over three hours in the house trying to sell the resident a vacuum cleaner at the cost of£2000. The male claimed that he had already sold one to a neighbour in the surrounding area. Our advice as always is: Even if someone is GIVING SOMETHING AWAY DO NOT DEAL AT THE DOOR All residents have the right to SAY NO to someone who knocks on their door. |
31 August 2007 We have been receiving various reports from around West Sussex of the following incidences: A male has been approaching residents on several occasions trying to sell generators and pressure washers. Male is described as late 50's, with what is believed to be an Irish accent, driving a white van. In another incident a group of men (about 4) have been calling at residents homes looking for people who want to recycle their metal doors. As always, we advise - DO NOT DEAL AT THE DOOR. If you have something to sell - seek advice from an expert or ask friends and family where you are most likely to be able to sell your items. If someone wants to sell you something - ALWAYS ASK FOR and CHECK ID. Do not use the telephone number that they supply you with but check in the TELEPHONE DIRECTORY. |
Bogus Telephone Calls Residents in West Sussex have reported that they have received telephone calls from someone claiming to be from a local radio station. They are being told, for example, that if they can give the names of four spice girls they could win £3,000. One resident could only remember three and was told that they had won £3500 - the caller then went on to ask for the residents telephone number, address and bank details - including her PIN number. A telephone call to the local radio station revealed this to be a bogus competition . Our advice to you is if you receive such a call - as soon as someone asks you for your bank details - PUT THE PHONE DOWN. Never disclose your personal details to anyone - especially if they ask for bank details . Please report such calls to: Trading Standards - 08454 040506 OR Police on 0845 60 70 999 |
Cold Calling -Double Glazing In the Crawley area we have received reports of two males cold calling at residents home claiming to be from a double glazing company. The men are described as unprofessional looking, wearing bomber jackets and trainers. They are thought to have an Irish accent. They have no ID and the leaflet they carry with them looks photocopied. They are offering fascias and soffits also. Our advice as always is: STOP - Are you expecting anybody? Do they have an appointment? Secure your door with a door CHAIN before opening the door Ask for and CHECK any ID that the caller gives you. Do not use the telephone number given on the ID but use a telephone number from the telephone book. ASK YOURSELF - do you need any work done in or around your home? If so, seek recommendations from friends and family. DO NOT DEAL AT THE DOOR Trading Standards offer an approved trader scheme "Buy with Confidence ". For more details and a list of traders please call 08454 040506. If you are in any doubt about a caller to your door then please call Trading Standards Consumer Direct on 08454 040506 or the Police on 0845 60 70 999. |
More cold calling incidents We have received further reports from the Police re people cold calling on residents in the West Chiltington areas. Please remember, because they have been reported in the above area it does not mean that they won't be near you soon - they ALWAYS move on!! Dealer in Books, Silver Clocks, Paintings, China, Jewellery, Watches etc A man has been reported cold calling at a residents home claiming to be a dealer in Books, Silver Clocks, Paintings, China, Jewellery, Watches etc. He is described as aged between 65 to 70, in a dark suit, with fine, grey, receding hair, medium to stocky build. He is wearing a gold ring in the shape of a horse shoe with a diamond centre, gold neck chain with crucifix, he is also wearing a ring on his little finger. He has not left any leaflets, and we do not have a description of any vehicle. Please remember , if you are offered a "price" for goods in your home it is most likely not to be anywhere near it's true value - ALWAYS seek the opinion of an EXPERT. Speak to your family and friends BEFORE} you part with ANYTHING. If a batch of items is worth £25 to them - you can be sure that just one item from the batch will be of a LOT MORE VALUE to you!! Tarmaccer Again, we have received reports with regard to a male cold calling at a residents homes offering to do the residents drive with "some spare tarmac". In this particular incident the male claimed that he wanted to try out his "new" tarmac machine. We do not have a description of the "tarmaccer" but he was seen in a dark blue saloon vehicle. Our Advice: NEVER DEAL AT THE DOOR ALWAYS ASK FOR AND CHECK ID (do not use any telephone number the caller gives you - ALWAYS use a number listed in the telephone book IF IN ANY DO - KEEP THEM OUT If anyone ACTS or APPEARS to be SUSPICIOUS call the POLICE 0845 6070999 OR Trading Standards 08454 040506 |