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07/02/2007
Trading standards and banks join forces against rogue salesmen
Banks have today revealed that they will alert Trading Standards or the police if they think large sums of cash are withdrawn by the elderly to pay rogue salesmen.
The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment's Trading Standards Service has signed a Code of Practice with the Northern Ireland Bankers Association. Under the Code, bank staff will alert the police or Trading Standards Officers if large amounts of cash are being withdrawn by an elderly and/or vulnerable person who they suspect is in danger of becoming a victim of rogue doorstep sales or doorstep crime.
When elderly and vulnerable customers suddenly request to withdraw a large amount of cash, a member of the bank staff will discreetly try to determine if the cash being requested is to pay rogue salesmen. Consent will then be sought from the customer to inform the police or trading standards.
David Livingstone, Head of Trading Standards Service said: "Trading Standards have seen examples where elderly people have been driven to the bank to withdraw money to pay these rogue traders. On many occasions it has been the vigilance of banking staff that has prevented people losing large amounts of money. However we hope that this Code will further assist in deterring these rogues and force them to think twice before attempting to obtain money in this way."
If you have been the victim of rogue doorstep salespeople or if you want advice on what to do if you are approached by rogue tradesmen, please contact Consumerline on 0845 6006262.
(EF/SP)
The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment's Trading Standards Service has signed a Code of Practice with the Northern Ireland Bankers Association. Under the Code, bank staff will alert the police or Trading Standards Officers if large amounts of cash are being withdrawn by an elderly and/or vulnerable person who they suspect is in danger of becoming a victim of rogue doorstep sales or doorstep crime.
When elderly and vulnerable customers suddenly request to withdraw a large amount of cash, a member of the bank staff will discreetly try to determine if the cash being requested is to pay rogue salesmen. Consent will then be sought from the customer to inform the police or trading standards.
David Livingstone, Head of Trading Standards Service said: "Trading Standards have seen examples where elderly people have been driven to the bank to withdraw money to pay these rogue traders. On many occasions it has been the vigilance of banking staff that has prevented people losing large amounts of money. However we hope that this Code will further assist in deterring these rogues and force them to think twice before attempting to obtain money in this way."
If you have been the victim of rogue doorstep salespeople or if you want advice on what to do if you are approached by rogue tradesmen, please contact Consumerline on 0845 6006262.
(EF/SP)
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