Doorstep Crime Update Vacuum Cleaner Sales/ Roof Coatings/ Email Scams 17 November 2009

Please find below a message from Trading Standards: Doorstep Crime Update Vacuum Cleaner Sales/ Roof Coatings/ Email Scams 17 November 2009

For those residents who have email accounts comes a warning to be on the look-out for emails informing you that you have won almost 1 million Euros on the Irish Sweepstake Lottery. The company involved claims to be based in Ireland and indicate that they are connected in some way with Irish Revenue and Customs. The emails encourage "winners" to send various processing and admin fees via Western Union in order to secure their prize. Needless to say, there is no lottery win and any money that is sent up front will be lost.

Residents throughout the county are asked to be aware of doorstep callers distributing cards that relate to free entry into a draw to win a new car. The draw does seem to be legitimate (and takes place once a year) but consumers are asked to give their details, including a telephone number. Shortly after the initial visit, consumers receive a telephone call to say they have won a weekly draw and their prize is a free carpet cleaning demonstration. Reports from South Ribble and Poulton indicate the "demonstration" is in fact used as an opportunity to "hard sell" expensive vacuum cleaner systems to residents. Trading Standards advice is to be wary about giving out details on the doorstep and to think carefully before agreeing to let traders visit your home.

Trading Standards are still receiving reports of various traders cold calling and offering to power-wash moss off roofs and then treat concrete tiles with a protective coating. Several questionable claims are made by the traders relating to the benefits of the treatment, including increased insulation properties. Many of these traders leave consumers with substandard work after insisting on cash payments and do not provide proper details enabling consumers to contact them. Consumers agreeing to deal with traders where the contract is agreed at the consumer's home should be aware that they will have a seven-day cooling off period to cancel any work agreed to, or any purchases made over £35, although in certain circumstances the customer may have to pay for any goods installed or work carried out so far. Also be aware that the contract will not be enforceable against the customer unless information about your right to cancel is given in writing.

Trading Standards advise residents never to deal with cold-callers, to ensure you obtain full name, address and landline details from all workmen, and to double-check identification and references from other customers- do not assume credentials are genuine. Also ensure any price you are quoted is fair and genuine by obtaining estimates from other traders, and by ensuring the work agreed and the price to be charged is written down on a quotation before you agree to the work starting.

Please refer any complaints and further information to Lancashire Trading Standards Service, 55 Guildhall Street, Preston, Lancs via Consumer Direct tel 08454 040506. If there is any threat or fear of burglary contact the police at once.