Investigations into cold callers help to save cash
Trading standards officers have saved residents nearly £40,000 by helping them get out of deals were pressured into by unwanted cold callers.
Officials from Leicestershire County Council say they have investigated 75 complaints about cold callers since April and helped people enact cancellation clauses in deals they had not been aware of.
In total, they saved residents £37,000 through terminating deals.
Next week is National Consumer Week and the council is urging people to say no to cold callers.
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County Hall's cabinet member for trading standards councillor Blake Pain said: "Our officers have done fantastic work this year to tackle rogue traders but rely on the public to let them know about concerns.
"Not all doorstep sellers are bogus, however unlawful traders can be unscrupulous and intimidating but you are well within your rights to say no to them.
"No one should feel pressured into making a rash decision. If in doubt, always think twice."
Baby police commander Inspector John Brown, works alongside the Blaby Volunteers to reduce instances of cold calling. He said: "Leicestershire Police has been successful in establishing a number of 'no cold calling' zones. If there is not presently a zone active in your neighbourhood, an effective step is to display the Trading Standards' 'No uninvited callers' sticker in your window.
"Know your rights by law and feel empowered to say 'no' to cold callers."
For a Trading Standards no cold calling sticker, contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 08454 04 05 06 or make contact with your local Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator by visiting:
www.ourwatch.org.uk/
For more on Leicestershire Trading Standards, visit:
www.leics.gov.uk/ tradingstandards
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