Unfortunately the elderly and vulnerable are often targeted.
Tactics employed by salesmen to sell expensive and unsuitable alarm systems include:
> the use of dubious crime/fire statistics, and tales of robbery and assault to scare householders in to buying.
> telling the householder that new legislation will prevent them obtaining contents insurance if they do not have a monitored alarm. This is not true.
> pretending to be calling on behalf of the Trading Standards, Fire and Rescue Service's, Police or Neighbourhood Watch in order to make their visit appear official.
> offering 'free' monitored alarms. The householder is told they have either won or been selected for an alarm. Although this may seem at first to be a tempting offer, what is not always made clear to householders who take up this offer is that they will have to pay a service charge to whichever company monitors the alarm system that is fitted – and this could be hundreds of pounds a year. Householders will also find themselves locked in to an agreement that could last several years and be required to pay for additional annual system check ups. In all the cost of this ‘free’ alarm could be many thousands of pounds.
Consumers who do sign up on the doorstep following an unsolicited visit, or a visit arranged following an unsolicited phone call do have cancellation rights. Consumers have 7 days within which to cancel following the signing of a contract and companies who fail to advise the consumer of their rights in this instance, in writing, are committing a criminal offence (penalty on summary conviction, maximum fine £2,500).
Any Warwickshire consumers requiring help to cancel a door to door sale, should contact Warwickshire Trading Standards Adviceline as soon as possible.
Consumers who are considering purchasing an alarm system should not be rushed in to doing so on the door step, but should get at least three quotes from reputable companies approved by N.A.C.O.S.S (The National Approval Council on Security Systems).
Local Police Crime Prevention Officers are only too willing to give the public advice on home security.
Householders interested in obtaining a smoke alarm, fire blanket or carbon monoxide detector, or requiring further information about fire safety are asked to phone Warwickshire County Council’s Fire Safety Helpline on 01926 410800 . |