This is a message to all NHW members from our colleagues in Nottinghamshire.
Nottinghamshire Trading Standards have received information about alarm companies telephoning vulnerable residents and offering free home alarm systems.
Nottinghamshire Trading Standards have received information about alarm companies telephoning vulnerable residents and offering free home alarm systems.
Trading Standards never recommend employing a trader based on a cold call.
Nottinghamshire Trading Standards is urging consumers to say no to companies offering these free appliances, claiming they are working with the police or as part of a Government scheme.
The salesman will typically cold call, keen to make a home visit the same day to discuss the installation of a free or cheap alarm. The companies are reported to use high pressure tactics and to scaremonger about rising crime levels in the area, while some are reported to make misleading claims about the alarms being directly linked to the police. What they fail to mention are the fees that residents will have to pay for the installation, monitoring, upkeep and rapid response facilities, which can add up to thousands of pounds.
If you have received a similar call or are suspicious of a cold caller operating in your area please contact Consumer Direct, the Government's consumer advice service on 08454 04 05 06.
Please pass this message on to your friends and colleagues or vulnerable residents which you might know.
Please pass this message on to your friends and colleagues or vulnerable residents which you might know.
Trading Standards recommend the following:
- Keep your front and back doors locked, even when you're at home. Fix a security chain to your door, and make sure you use it every time someone calls.
- If you need work carried out contact the Buy With Confidence scheme for details of trades people who have demonstrated their commitment to fair and honest trading on www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk or 08454 04 05 06.
Bottesford Principal Co-ordinator's Note: Members will know that I have recently circulated an email asking for experience and recommendations about alarm systems/installers. The response has been excellent and if anyone is thinking about installing an alarm I am happy to share that information. My thanks to all of those who took the trouble to respond to that request. The information supplied has been very useful.
John Shilton
Principal Coordinator
Bottesford Parish Neighbourhood Watch
Mob: 0772 5636626
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