26/5/2005 - Trading Standards warn against advertising scams

Cumbria County Council’s Trading Standards Officers are urging small businesses to hang up on cold callers selling advertising in publications who claim to support the emergency services or charities.

The Office of Fair Trading and trading standards services nationwide have received hundreds of complaints about the tactics of some telesales companies, particularly false claims about links to the emergency services or charities. Cumbria Trading Standards also have concerns about demands for payment for advertising space that businesses have never agreed to buy.

The following tips can reduce the risks from cold call scams:

·Don’t take unsolicited calls when you are busy and can’t give the seller your full attention - if you want to talk, ask them to call back at a convenient time.

·Don’t agree to something on the phone just to get rid of a persistent caller - legally binding agreements can be made over the phone.

·Be wary of unsolicited callers suggesting or implying that you are placing an order or entering an agreement when you don’t wish to do so. 

·Be wary of follow-up calls - you may think they’re just verifying details, but they may be trying to trick you into entering into an agreement.

·If you’re not clear about any details, don’t be rushed - ask questions.

·Don’t be pressurised into paying for services you haven’t agreed to, or that haven’t been provided. If you are threatened with debt collectors or a credit black-listing, remember that ultimately only a court can decide whether you are liable to pay and disputes with another business will not necessarily affect your credit rating. 

Phil Ashcroft, Head of Cumbria Trading Standards, said

‘Small businesses are particularly vulnerable to this type of unfair business practice. We advise all businesses to be wary: don’t be pressured or tricked into agreeing to advertising you don’t want or into paying for something you haven’t requested.’

Ron Gainsford, the Chief Executive of The Trading Standards Institute, said:

‘This is particularly timely and sound advice from the OFT. Trading Standards are increasingly alarmed by the callous lengths that some cold-calling telesales operations will go to, to get well meaning consumers and businesses to part with their hard-earned money.’