 |
 |
|||
WARNINGS FROM
TRADING STANDARDS
Anyone with information about, or wanting advice on, doorstep crime can contact Hampshire County Council's Quick Response Team on 01962 833666 or email: doorstep.crime@hants.gov.uk. Trading Standards would advise consumers not to agree to work that is instigated as a result on a cold call or via a leaflet drop. Consumers should obtain at least 3 written quotes from reputable businesses or traders who belong to a recognised trade association, such as the Hampshire County Council Buy With Confidence Scheme. Details of this scheme can be obtained by telephoning 01962 833620, via email at buy.with.confidence@hants.gov.uk or via www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk. Traders who agree work at the home of an individual or at a place other than their usual business premises are required by law to provide consumers with a Notice of Right to Cancel, which gives consumers a 7 day cooling off period. Work should not commence until this period has ended, unless written agreement is first obtained from that consumer beforehand. If anyone has any information about traders who are cold calling or requires any advice on doorstep crime they can contact Hampshire County Council's Quick Response Team on 01962 833666 (Monday – Friday 0900hrs to 1700hrs) |
3 February 2012 - TV Aerials
Rogue traders are reportedly cold calling in Leigh Park and the surrounding area of Hampshire claiming residents need to replace their TV aerial in order to receive the digital TV signal. However, most people with a good aerial now, will not need a new aerial for switchover and remember, there is no such thing as a ‘digital aerial’.
Whether you need a new aerial for switchover will depend on the condition of your current aerial and where you live. If you currently have poor reception on your analogue TV, then you may need to replace your aerial at switchover. A small number of households may also need a wideband aerial to receive all the channels available. To find out if this affects you visit www.digitaluk.co.uk/youraerial or call 08456 50 50 50.
10 January 2012 - More Tarmac
Warning - Rogue Traders are currently cold calling/leaflet dropping in Bishops Waltham, Meon Valley and surrounding areas of Hampshire offering to tarmac driveways.
Trading Standards would advise consumers not to agree to work that is instigated as a result of a cold call or via a leaflet drop. Consumers should obtain at least 3 written quotes from reputable businesses or traders who are either members of the Hampshire County Council Trading Standards Buy With Confidence Scheme or a recognised trade association.
14 December 2011 - Tarmac
Warning - Traders are cold calling in the Fleet, Hook and surrounding northern areas of the County offering to tarmac residents' drives. The traders ignore residents wishes not to be cold-called and are persistent in their sales pitch. These traders are NOT providing any business paperwork and are failing to provide consumers with their statutory right to a seven day cooling off period, which is a criminal offence.
12 December 2011 - Driveways
Hampshire County Council is warning of untrustworthy cold callers following reports in the New Forest. Residents are called on and asked if they want their drive resurfaced by a company recommended by the council and its maintenance partner, Amey.
Hampshire County Council maintains Hampshire's public highways and footways, working with Amey, Hampshire County Council’s maintenance partner, and has no responsibility for maintenance of private streets.
This warning follows an incident in the Lymington area where individuals have been calling on residents offering to tarmac drives, claiming that they are acting on behalf of Hampshire County Council and Amey.
12 December 2011 - Tree Cutting
Rogue Traders are currently cold calling in the North of the County (reported incident in Basingstoke) and are offering tree cutting services. It is alleged that these traders are not providing cancellation rights or any paperwork.
Trading Standards would advise consumers not to agree to work that is instigated as a result on a cold call or via a leaflet drop. Consumers should obtain at least 3 written quotes from reputable businesses or traders who belong to a recognised trade association, such as the Hampshire County Council Buy With Confidence Scheme (see above).
28 October 2011 - Threatening Phone Calls
Rogue Traders are currently telephone cold calling vulnerable residents in the County. The caller is unknown, but believed to be male and very threatening. He has told residents that they had subscribed to a telephone monitoring service and had run up bills of between £3,500 - £6,000 and defaulted on the payment. They are then asked for immediate payment over the phone by card. When they question this they have been told that unless they pay up they will be arrested within hours by the Metropolitan Police and transported to the Queens Court in London.
Anyone receiving these calls should hang up and are advised to register with anonymous call barring from their telephone provider or to consider changing their telephone number and keeping their number ex directory.
26 October 2011 - Tarmac Resurfacing
Warning - Traders are cold calling in the Basingstoke, Hook and surrounding rural areas of the County offering tarmac resurfacing work. This work is usually of a very poor standard and the initial low price agreed is then escalated, sometimes to 10 times the initial price quoted. These traders are NOT providing any business paperwork and are failing to provide consumers with their statutory right to a seven day cooling off period, which is a criminal offence.
These traders are also targetting businesses.
13 September 2011 - Mobility Goods
Rogue Traders are currently cold calling on the telephone and at the doorstep in the Andover, Havant and surrounding areas of Hampshire offering to supply unsuitable mobility goods, stair lifts, adapted showers and beds at vastly inflated prices. In some cases customers have been left with the impression that the trader is from Social Services at Hampshire County Council which is certainly not the case.
18 August 2011 - Paving and Tarmac Work
Rogue Traders are currently cold calling in the North of the County and are carrying out paving and tarmac work. It is alleged that these traders are not providing cancellation rights and increasing agreed prices significantly once work commences.
Trading Standards would advise consumers not to agree to work that is instigated as a result on a cold call or via a leaflet drop. Consumers should obtain at least 3 written quotes from reputable businesses or traders who belong to a recognised trade association, such as the Hampshire County Council Buy With Confidence Scheme. Details of this scheme can be obtained by telephoning 01962 833620, via email at buy.with.confidence@hants.gov.uk or via the website www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk
6 August 2011 - Paving and Tarmac Work & Glazing
Rogue Traders are currently cold calling in Woolton Hill and the surrounding areas of Hampshire offering to carry out paving and tarmac work. It is alleged that these traders are not providing cancellation rights.
Rogue Traders are also currently cold calling in Aldershot and the surrounding areas of Hampshire offering to carry out glazing work. It is alleged that these traders are not providing cancellation rights and in some cases have taken money upfront and then not carried out the work agreed.
26 May 2011 - Roof/Gutter Cleaning
Rogue Traders are currently cold calling/leaflet dropping in Yateley and the surrounding area of Hampshire offering to carry out roof/gutter cleaning etc.
15 April 2011 - Grants for home insulation and cavity wall insulation.
It has come to the attention of Hampshire Trading Standards Service that Householders are receiving calls from a number of companies regarding grants for home insulation and cavity wall insulation. These companies use the offer of a government backed grant to gain your interest and arrange a visit from one of their surveyors. Please be aware that even though these grants do exist they are not cost free as householders will have to meet 20% of the total cost of the work. This is not explained until the salesman is in your home.
Please be on your guard about these types of cold callers either over the telephone or on your doorstep. If you have already arranged for a visit by a salesman and/or require any assistance concerning this or similar cold calling matters please do not hesitate to contact our Quick Response Team on 01962 833666.
12 May 2011 - Council Tax Scam
It has been brought to the attention of Hampshire Trading Standards Service that residents are receiving telephone calls stating: that, as their payment records for paying the Council Tax over the past few years has been impeccable, the Government has agreed to make an immediate refund. Could they please provide bank details to enable a bacs transfer to be made.
Could we please remind everyone to be on your guard and not to supply or confirm any personal, banking or card details to anyone who makes contact with you.
12 May 2011 - Block Paving
Rogue Traders have been and are currently cold calling in the Titchfield and surrounding area of Hampshire offering to block pave driveways etc. It is alleged that these traders are not providing consumers with any paperwork and in particular details of consumers rights to cancel.