DOORSTEP COLD CALLING SCAMS URGENT ALERT!

Red Cross Volunteers

Please be aware that Police have received reports of a person in the Peterborough area posing as a Red Cross volunteer/interpreter. Beware! This person is an Imposter!  

Police have been in contact with the Red Cross Organisation and this is the response: 

"All of our volunteers are required to carry a photographic Red Cross ID card, to verify their authenticity. In addition, our volunteers work directly from our offices, and would not normally be undertaking home visits or working from any other office without prior agreement and approval. Should you become aware of anybody claiming to be a Red Cross volunteer and have any doubts over their authenticity, please report it to the police so checks can be made".

Energy Retail Association Code of Practice - important update in regard to sales people calling at homes with 'No Calling' notices


The Energy Retail Association has reviewed and re-issued its Code of Practice for the face-to-face marketing of energy supply. The new code ensures that where a member contracts with a third party for the provision of sales agents, the member must ensure that the third party complies with all components of the code in relation to sales activities. Under the code, sales agents will not call on premises in recognised no cold calling zones where there is a message prominently displayed from the consumer in the form of a written note or sticker.


Members have all signed up for their sales agents not to call at properties displaying no cold calling stickers irrespective of whether these properties are situated in no cold calling zones.

The new code is published by The Association of Energy Suppliers and can be found to download at


www.energy-retail.org.uk/salespractice.html


Increase in the number of reports concerning unsolicited calls to older people from a company offering installation of security systems.

 Trading Standards are currently investigating the working practices of a firm from the North of the Country that 'cold calls' offering security systems with the following dubious sales stories:

fitting security systems linked to local police


offering 4 houses in the road a free security system


from the National Crime Prevention Unit and giving away 4 free alarms in the area


Working in conjunction with the local police/endorsed by Metropolitan Police


Offering monitoring alarm systems with a guaranteed response from the Police


Investigation by Trading Standards have shown that although the alarms are offered free or a nominal cost of £1 the ongoing maintenance costs are extremely high and there is a cancellation fee. In some incidences the Company call local police and request an incident/log number and use this log number to give the impression to the householder that they are authorised by the police to call.

It has also been reported that they are planning to expand and have more regional offices by the end of this year. Currently this company is being investigated by Trading Standards and Scambusters.

Cambridgeshire Police do not employ or authorise any company, person or firm to call on their behalf and would not in any case recommend one particular company. Part of the role of the Cambridgeshire Police Community Safety Unit is to provide cost effective crime prevention advice to householders and we never,ever, cold call!

If you are concerned about a particular commercial firm or company and their selling methods call Consumer Direct on 08454 040506


If you know of any elderly person or people who have concerns about home security ring Police on 0345 456 456 4,  with the person's details and ask if the local crime prevention officer can make contact and arrange a visit.


(C) Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch Peterborough Tel: 01733 345581 Broadcasters call ISDN 01733 555319 Codecs G722 & APT