Cold calling - roofers
Wed 09 May 2012 Filed in: Trading Standards warnings
Warning
Rogue Traders are currently cold calling in the Waterlooville and surrounding area of Hampshire offering to conduct roofing repairs, such as cleaning and resealing.
Information collated thus far would indicate that prices initially quoted are often increased before completion of the work to a level which is grossly inflated. Furthermore, the trader is not complying with the law by providing the home-owner with a written Cancellation Notice which explains their legal right to cancel the contract within 7 days.
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.
Members of the Buy With Confidence scheme are fully audited to ensure their trading practices are legal, honest and fair. All members have been checked for trustworthiness and compliance with consumer protection laws. Details can be obtained by telephoning 01962 833620, emailing buy.with.confidence@hants.gov.uk or via the website 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 obtained from that consumer beforehand.
Rogue Traders are currently cold calling in the Waterlooville and surrounding area of Hampshire offering to conduct roofing repairs, such as cleaning and resealing.
Information collated thus far would indicate that prices initially quoted are often increased before completion of the work to a level which is grossly inflated. Furthermore, the trader is not complying with the law by providing the home-owner with a written Cancellation Notice which explains their legal right to cancel the contract within 7 days.
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.
Members of the Buy With Confidence scheme are fully audited to ensure their trading practices are legal, honest and fair. All members have been checked for trustworthiness and compliance with consumer protection laws. Details can be obtained by telephoning 01962 833620, emailing buy.with.confidence@hants.gov.uk or via the website 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 obtained from that consumer beforehand.
UKASH Payment Fraud
Tue 03 Apr 2012 Filed in: Trading Standards warnings
UKASH PAYMENT FRAUD
We are seeing a number of scams where UKASH vouchers have been requested by the criminal as a payment method. There are many UKASH voucher retailers in Hampshire and they can be commonly bought in local convenience stores or newsagents.
•The criminal “cold calls” the victim by phone claiming to be from the Council, HMRC, a bank, lottery or other organisation.
•The victim is told that they are owed some money due to a tax rebate or as the result of winning a prize.
•The criminal states that they need the victim to pay an upfront fee in order for the funds to be dispatched. The victim is told that this needs to be paid by UKASH voucher. The victim is told where their nearest UKASH outlet is.
•The victim buys a UKASH voucher which has a unique number printed on it.
•The scammer calls the victim back and obtains the code printed on the UKASH voucher. The value of voucher is then credited to the scammer’s own UKASH account.
REAL CASE STUDY
An elderly couple on Hayling Island were telephoned in their home by an unknown cold caller. They were told they had won a prize and were asked to go to the supermarket and purchase UKASH vouchers to the value of £150. When they called the company with the UKASH code they were told that their winnings would be delivered by motorcycle courier. The elderly couple were left very distressed when they realised they had been duped.
If you think you have been a victim of a similar scam please contact Citizens Advice help line 084554 04 05 06
We are seeing a number of scams where UKASH vouchers have been requested by the criminal as a payment method. There are many UKASH voucher retailers in Hampshire and they can be commonly bought in local convenience stores or newsagents.
•The criminal “cold calls” the victim by phone claiming to be from the Council, HMRC, a bank, lottery or other organisation.
•The victim is told that they are owed some money due to a tax rebate or as the result of winning a prize.
•The criminal states that they need the victim to pay an upfront fee in order for the funds to be dispatched. The victim is told that this needs to be paid by UKASH voucher. The victim is told where their nearest UKASH outlet is.
•The victim buys a UKASH voucher which has a unique number printed on it.
•The scammer calls the victim back and obtains the code printed on the UKASH voucher. The value of voucher is then credited to the scammer’s own UKASH account.
REAL CASE STUDY
An elderly couple on Hayling Island were telephoned in their home by an unknown cold caller. They were told they had won a prize and were asked to go to the supermarket and purchase UKASH vouchers to the value of £150. When they called the company with the UKASH code they were told that their winnings would be delivered by motorcycle courier. The elderly couple were left very distressed when they realised they had been duped.
If you think you have been a victim of a similar scam please contact Citizens Advice help line 084554 04 05 06
Payment Protection Insurance (PPI)
Thu 29 Mar 2012 Filed in: Trading Standards warnings
There has been a lot of news lately about the miss-selling of Payment Protection Insurance (PPI) by financial institutions who are now being forced to refund customers who have been affected.
This has led to claims management companies springing up and offering to make claims on behalf of consumers in return for a fee. Consumers do not need to use claims management companies to claim back insurance that has been mis-sold, they merely need to lodge a complaint with the Financial Ombudsman Service. This is a free service.
In a further twist, Hampshire County Council Trading Standards have received complaints from vulnerable consumers who have received telephone cold calls from criminals who claim to be from claims management companies, and offer to claim back mis-sold PPI in exchange from an up-front fee. The victim pays the fee and never receives any service at all.
Cold callers-TV aerials
Fri 03 Feb 2012 Filed in: Trading Standards warnings
Warning
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.
Trading Standards would advise consumers not to agree to any work that is instigated as a result of a cold call or via a leaflet drop. If you do need to replace your rooftop aerial, look for a Registered Digital Installer (RDI), who has been trained and security checked. To find an RDI near you visit www.rdi-lb.co.uk or call the Digital UK advice line on 08456 50 50 50.
Please note, if you are over 75, disabled or on certain benefits you may be eligible for help from the Switchover Help Scheme. This means you could get one TV set at your home switched to digital for just £40. Those who are entitled to help should have already received a letter and information pack though the post, but to check if you are eligible please visit www.helpscheme.co.uk or call 0800 40 85 900.
And finally, if anyone has any information about traders who are cold calling claiming TV aerials need to be replaced or any other doorstep crime issue they should contact Hampshire County Council Trading Standards Service Quick Response Team on 01962 833666 (Monday – Friday 0900hrs to 1700hrs)
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.
Trading Standards would advise consumers not to agree to any work that is instigated as a result of a cold call or via a leaflet drop. If you do need to replace your rooftop aerial, look for a Registered Digital Installer (RDI), who has been trained and security checked. To find an RDI near you visit www.rdi-lb.co.uk or call the Digital UK advice line on 08456 50 50 50.
Please note, if you are over 75, disabled or on certain benefits you may be eligible for help from the Switchover Help Scheme. This means you could get one TV set at your home switched to digital for just £40. Those who are entitled to help should have already received a letter and information pack though the post, but to check if you are eligible please visit www.helpscheme.co.uk or call 0800 40 85 900.
And finally, if anyone has any information about traders who are cold calling claiming TV aerials need to be replaced or any other doorstep crime issue they should contact Hampshire County Council Trading Standards Service Quick Response Team on 01962 833666 (Monday – Friday 0900hrs to 1700hrs)
Security company cold calling
Thu 19 Jan 2012 Filed in: Neighbourhood Watch
A company calling itself Direct Security Response has been cold calling residents of the Meon Valley area on the telephone. They emphasise that the Police do not usually respond to domestic burglar alarms these days, and are offering to come around to conduct a survey and install their system. The company have no return telephone number and are reluctant to give further details about themselves. It is recommended that you do not accept their offers. If you get such a call, contact Trading Standards on 0845 4 04 05 06, quoting the ref SE 4638488 .