Cold caller warning issued to residents

Published Friday, 14th August 2020

Trading standards officials from Hartlepool Borough Council are urging householders to be on their guard against cold-callers offering to carry out home improvement work.

The warning has been issued following an increased number of reports over the past week of traders cold calling residents and offering services such as driveway work and installation of measures to improve the home’s energy efficiency, including double glazing and solar panels.

On one occasion, it was reported that the caller claimed to be working in conjunction with the Council which wasn’t true.

Cold calling in itself is usually not illegal but work carried out by traders who cold call is often unnecessary, overpriced and unfit for its purpose. Previous cases have found that sometimes a resident may sign up to have energy efficiency measures installed, such as solar panels, but find that they do not save much money and they are bound by the contract for over 20 years.

Trading Standards and Licensing Manager Rachael Readman said “Our advice is, as always, never deal with cold callers. Simply ask them to leave and not to return. Never feel pressured into agreeing to get work done.

“If you need work doing on your home always ask your family and friends for recommendations first and always try to obtain at least three quotes from reputable traders. Never accept a trader’s quote on their first visit and always give yourself enough time to think through the offer thoroughly.”

Tackling doorstep crime is one of the Trading Standards Department’s top priorities. To help protect residents, a number of streets across the Borough have been officially designated as No Cold Calling Zones.

The existence of a zone is advertised by signs at the entrance to a street and others on lampposts. Once a zone has been created, it prohibits cold calling in that area and legal action can be taken against those who continue to do it.

Alternatively, residents can make their houses "no cold calling homes” by displaying a "no cold calling" sticker in their window. The stickers work in the same way by asking would-be cold callers to leave and not return.

For more information on how to make your street a no cold calling zone or to obtain a free window sticker contact Hartlepool Trading Standards on (01429) 523362. If you believe that you have fallen victim to a rogue trader you should contact the department as soon as possible.