Devon County Council

From Sian Hester, Exeter 383523, November 19, 2008

BEWARE of doorstep traders this Christmas is the message from Devon County Council Trading Standards Service.

The reminder has been issued as part of National Consumer Week (17-21 November). Devon County Council Trading Standards Service is warning all Devon residents to be on their guard against scams and bogus callers. Concerns are particularly high this year as people are hit financially by the economic downturn. It may be tempting to buy on the doorstep, especially when offered goods or services for what may seem like a bargain price.

Being scammed can be a costly and humiliating experience that anyone can fall for but the elderly and vulnerable are often specifically targeted, particularly for services such as tarmaccing or home maintenance. This can not only cause serious financial damage but the experience is often also very distressing and can have a devastating effect on their health and well being.

People can report rogue traders on the new Trading Standards Confidential line by simply calling 01392 381380 and either leave a message or speak to an advisor with the peace of mind of remaining anonymous.

Devon County Council Leader Brian Greenslade said: "The advice to residents is simply, if anyone calls at your door offering spare tarmac going cheap, carpets or special 'today only offers', do not deal with them. If you are looking to have work carried out or looking for reputable traders, consumers should check the 'Buy with Confidence' scheme which lists traders who have been checked and audited by Trading Standards."

Devon County Council Trading Standards Service Fair Trading Manager, Peter Greene, said: "We have also produced advice leaflets and 'No Doorstep Traders' notices as part of our ScamWise campaign. Knowing how to identify and deal with these traders is the best weapon against this problem, and the leaflets give advice on who to contact for people who have been affected. The aim is help people to feel safe in their own homes and to empower them to make the right choices."

Devon and Cornwall Police also warns that doorstep selling is often used by offenders to gain entry into people's homes, known as distraction burglary.

Bob Bunney, Crime Reduction Officer for Devon and Cornwall Police, said: "We have had a fair amount of successful arrests and convictions for distraction burglary and most residents realise they should not let strangers into their homes however, we are still finding criminals who lie their way in and then help themselves to purses, bags, car keys and anything else they can take easily."

The Scamwise advice from Devon County Council Trading Standards Service is:

• Check the identity of the caller. Ask to see their ID card and then verify the number in the phone book and call the company;
• If the caller is from a utility company to read the meter, they often have a special password, contact your energy supplier to check it;
• If you have any doubts at all, say 'no thank you' and close the door;
• If they refuse to go away tell them that you will call the police and dial 999.

To look for a reputable trader go to www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk or call

Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06. Consumer Direct can also help with general consumer advice

Copies of the Scamwise leaflet can be found on the Devon County Council website www.devon.gov.uk/tradingstandards and the door stickers are available by contacting Trading Standards at tsadvice@devon.gov.uk or by calling our helpline on 01392 381381

Notes for Editors:

For more information from Devon County Council Trading Standards Service, contact Peter Greene, Fair Trading Manager on 01392 382728.

For more information from Devon and Cornwall Police, email ForcePressOffice@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk

Consumer Direct South West is a government funded organisation dedicated to giving consumer advice to members of the public, and information sharing with Trading Standards services.

The Scamwise Initiative is run by the Trading Standards South West Region Group (SWERCOTS), and is operational in Devon. Devon Trading Standards can provide "no doorstep traders" door stickers, and talks to consumer groups on avoiding falling victim to scams.

Trading Standards Confidential has been launched to coincide with National Consumer Week. Trading Standards hopes to reach more members of the residential and business community by offering a confidential reporting service.