ACTIVE SCAM! This notice has just been released by Cambridgeshire Police and Trading Standards Service
Cambridgeshire County Council’s Trading Standards Service and Cambridgeshire Police have been receiving reports from concerned residents who have been called out of the blue by security companies offering them an alarm system for their home.
In some cases, the sales person refuses to give company details, or give a telephone number which when dialled is just an answerphone. Claims made by the salesmen (and sales women!) may suggest they are in some way connected to the Police Service, which is totally untrue.
The sales ploy starts with an initial telephone call offering an alarm system at a reduced price, £1 or even for free. A salesman will then visit, pressurising the homeowner to sign up straight away, in order to get a good deal or huge discount.
The sales ploy starts with an initial telephone call offering an alarm system at a reduced price, £1 or even for free. A salesman will then visit, pressurising the homeowner to sign up straight away, in order to get a good deal or huge discount.
Initial costs outlined are misleading - when yearly maintenance, monitoring costs and other recurring charges are included; be warned the cost is substantially higher. The maintenance contract, usually contained in the small print, may be for a period of upto 10 years, with the real financial cost running into many thousands of pounds. In addition sales people for a really hard sell, have been known to remain in a person’s home for many hours, in order to persuade the customer to agree to the contract.
Advice for residents
Whatever work you want done on your home, Trading Standards and Police recommend you always obtain 3 quotes to make sure the price is reasonable.
If during a visit to your property, a trader refuses to leave, contact the police immediately and make a note of the time of the request and the time the trader leaves. This applies to any trader – not just security alarm companies.
When buying an alarm system we would suggest you look for companies that are accredited by N.S.I. (National Security Inspectorate) or S.S.I.A.B. (Security Systems & Alarm Inspection Board).
Whatever work you want done on your home, Trading Standards and Police recommend you always obtain 3 quotes to make sure the price is reasonable.
If during a visit to your property, a trader refuses to leave, contact the police immediately and make a note of the time of the request and the time the trader leaves. This applies to any trader – not just security alarm companies.
When buying an alarm system we would suggest you look for companies that are accredited by N.S.I. (National Security Inspectorate) or S.S.I.A.B. (Security Systems & Alarm Inspection Board).
Independent Inspectorates are not-for profit approval bodies who carry out inspection services for the security industry in order to protect customer interests. They are governed by UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) the sole accreditation service recognised by the government.
Free home security advice is available from Cambridgeshire Police dial 0345 456 456 4
If during a visit to your home you purchase goods or services from a trader and then you have second thoughts you usually have a right to cancel for contracts of more than £35. The paperwork that a trader leaves will give the details on how to cancel, and will include a cancellation form. You have 7 days in which you can cancel.
If you have been contacted by a security company and feel concerned please contact the Police or Cambridgeshire Trading Standards for assistance.
Cambridgeshire Police: 0345 456 456 4 (in case of emergency dial 999).
Trading Standards: 08454 04 05 06. This is the call centre number for the Trading Standards partner organisation Consumer Direct who will be able to advise you and immediately pass information through to Trading Standards Officers.
Free home security advice is available from Cambridgeshire Police dial 0345 456 456 4
If during a visit to your home you purchase goods or services from a trader and then you have second thoughts you usually have a right to cancel for contracts of more than £35. The paperwork that a trader leaves will give the details on how to cancel, and will include a cancellation form. You have 7 days in which you can cancel.
If you have been contacted by a security company and feel concerned please contact the Police or Cambridgeshire Trading Standards for assistance.
Cambridgeshire Police: 0345 456 456 4 (in case of emergency dial 999).
Trading Standards: 08454 04 05 06. This is the call centre number for the Trading Standards partner organisation Consumer Direct who will be able to advise you and immediately pass information through to Trading Standards Officers.
(C) Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch, Peterborough, UK Tel: 01733 345581 >>Broadcasters dial ISDN 'down the line' 01733 555319 ISDN Codecs G722 & APT Media Enquiries Julian Bray 01733 345581
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