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21/11/2006
Doorstep crime and rogue traders to be tackled
Northern Ireland consumers are being warned to be vigilant against bogus doorstep callers who prey on the elderly and vulnerable.
The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment’s Trading Standards Service, (TSS) is highlighting the problem during National Consumer Week, which started yesterday and will last until November 24.
A specialist Trading Standards team has been set up to tackle rogue traders and bogus callers who target elderly people in their homes and on their doorsteps.
In addition, TSS staff has presented the very popular “Doorstep Challenge” show, an interactive drama reconstruction, to help vulnerable people and the elderly to recognise the tactics that bogus tradesmen and distraction burglars use at the doorstep.
Vulnerable consumers are regularly ripped off by home maintenance criminals needing to do 'urgent' repairs.
These traders often pressurise householders into having unnecessary work carried out and then charge highly inflated prices for very poor work.
And that may not be the end of their problems: having paid up once, they can find themselves repeatedly targeted in the future by these types of traders.
TSS Officer Bronagh Deery said: “The aim of the Team is to deal with unscrupulous criminal cold-calling traders who target the elderly, causing misery to their victims. The Team strives to combat cold-calling cons and doorstep crime, high pressure sales and deceptive selling techniques targeting the vulnerable.
“Trading Standards Service can take court action against rogue traders, including prosecution.”
If you are concerned about bogus callers or want more advice please contact ConsumerLine on 0845 600 6262 or log onto the website on www.consumerline.org
(EF)
The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment’s Trading Standards Service, (TSS) is highlighting the problem during National Consumer Week, which started yesterday and will last until November 24.
A specialist Trading Standards team has been set up to tackle rogue traders and bogus callers who target elderly people in their homes and on their doorsteps.
In addition, TSS staff has presented the very popular “Doorstep Challenge” show, an interactive drama reconstruction, to help vulnerable people and the elderly to recognise the tactics that bogus tradesmen and distraction burglars use at the doorstep.
Vulnerable consumers are regularly ripped off by home maintenance criminals needing to do 'urgent' repairs.
These traders often pressurise householders into having unnecessary work carried out and then charge highly inflated prices for very poor work.
And that may not be the end of their problems: having paid up once, they can find themselves repeatedly targeted in the future by these types of traders.
TSS Officer Bronagh Deery said: “The aim of the Team is to deal with unscrupulous criminal cold-calling traders who target the elderly, causing misery to their victims. The Team strives to combat cold-calling cons and doorstep crime, high pressure sales and deceptive selling techniques targeting the vulnerable.
“Trading Standards Service can take court action against rogue traders, including prosecution.”
If you are concerned about bogus callers or want more advice please contact ConsumerLine on 0845 600 6262 or log onto the website on www.consumerline.org
(EF)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
