Friday 1 April 2016

Neighbourhood Watch - uninvited visitors at your door

Unsolicited calls/visits to your home

This is not an April Fool!

Local incident

It has come to my notice today that a Nocton resident has recently paid £800.00 to have a hedge trimmed by two intimidating men who called at his house offering to do work.

The work performed is said to be poor and not worth the sum paid. The victim is said to have been intimidated and threatened into paying well over the odds for the work.

Residents are reminded that if you want work done, there are many local tradesmen who will do work at reasonable rates. Details can be found in local press including the MACLA 'Green Book'.

Please don't fall for these intimidating and threatening tactics.

Anyone with information regarding a white van seen on Main Street junction Wellhead Lane last week, please get in touch with one of your Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators, or telephone Lincolnshire Police on 101.

Message received 31st March 2016 - via Lincolnshire Neighbourhood Watch Association

Doorstep cold calling – the law

'Cold calling' is no doubt a nuisance, but to Trading Standards it is a serious problem – probably much more of a problem than most people expect. The biggest problem is in home maintenance and improvements – things like driveways (block paving and tarmaccing) gardening, tree cutting and roofing. The problems are generally to do with people being pressured into contracts, receiving poor quality work and being charged excessive amounts of money.

http://www.tradingstandardsblog.com/doorstep-cold-calling-the-law/

Dealing with Unwanted Doorstep Callers

Remember genuine callers will accept they have to wait. It's your home - you don't have to let anyone in!

1. If in doubt, keep them out

It sounds simple, but if you don't let someone in - they will go away. Don't let them pressure you into opening your door.
 
2. Be prepared. Be in control

Think about what to say to any doorstep cold callers in advance. And keep a list of key contact numbers near your phone so you can check out legitimate callers using reliable contact numbers for them.  You have the right to ask all other unwanted callers to go away and not return.
 
3. Call a neighbour or the police if you are suspicious of the cold caller

Contact a local relative or nominated neighbour who can help verify a cold caller. If you think someone is a rogue trader call 101. To report a distraction burglar or rogue trader who has taken your money and is still in the area - call 999.

http://www.tradingstandardswales.org.uk/help/Dealingwithunwanteddoorstepcallers.cfm

1 comment:

  1. White vans with two men in them are more common at present with the construction work going on at Wegberg Road. I'm not suggesting for a moment that Sowerby's men/contracted workers are linked to this - but we need to be aware that white vans with unknown men in them are frequent visitors to the village just now and a sighting won't necessarily mean we've spotted the culprits.

    ReplyDelete

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