Cumbria Trading Standards are warning residents in the Furness area not to be fooled over the phone by the offer of a free shredder or free electrical check.
The area is being targetted by a telesales team whose opening gambit is to offer a free shredder, free marking of electrical equipment and a free electrical check. To obtain these, the householder has to agree to a personal visit.
Phil Ashcroft, Head of Cumbria Trading Standards,said: "My advice is for residents to be very wary. Experience shows that companies cold calling over the phone and offering free products in return for a house visit, invariably indulge in hard sell tactics and the installation of excessively priced security/electrical systems. Sadly, these companies often specialise in targeting the elderly and vulnerable."
Anyone receiving this type of call is advised to put the phone down and report it to Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.
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To speak to a victim of this tactic, contact Pat Thomas (Trading Standards) on 01539 773594 for more details.