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"No Cold Calling" comes to Blackpool


"No Cold Calling" has come to Blackpool.
By now most, if not all the residents of Blackpool should have received their "no cold calling" information packs through the door.
When you get your pack, take out the window sticker, peel off the backing and stick it in your window where it can be seen by any unwanted callers.
Not displaying the sticker encourages unwanted callers to knock on your door so it is important to display the sticker.
If you are still pestered by unwanted callers there is a number on the back of the sticker you can ring with your complaint. This will invoke action against the callers.We must expect odd callers at the start of this until the message gets through but with cooperation from all the residents the cold callers will get the message they are not welcome in our town. This should go a long way to making Blackpool a safer place to live.
It's up to you.

Pictured below with one of the new road signs are representatives of the Blackpool Residents Federation,
The Police, Blackpool Bsafe and Blackpool Trading Standards



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COLD CALL CASES SOAR

Blackpool Trading Standards is re-launching its ‘No Cold Calling’ campaign in a bid to stamp

out con artists who are targeting the elderly and vulnerable. In one recent complaint,

an elderly couple were offered a free estimate on new block paving to the front, rear and side of their house.

They agreed a price of £4000 and were asked for some of the cash upfront for materials, but

the paving did not go as planned. Instead of removing the old flagstones they laid new ones ontop of old. The couple also noticed the workmen were not using specialist equipment and they were not given a receipt. When the couple complained they kept fobbing them off.

The case is still under investigation and could

result in criminal proceedings In another complaint, a virtually housebound pensioner was visited

by a mobility firm who turned upon her doorstep and charged her almost £2000 for a mobility scooter.

The salesman came in, sat down and would not leave. The pensioner felt under so much pressure she gave in and bought the scooter. Although the victim has now been promised her money back after an investigation by Trading Standards, the experience has left the victim very distressed.

Tim Coglan, Head of Quality Standards, said there were steps consumers could take to protect

themselves‘ Even if you are sure a firm is reputable, take some time to do some thorough research on the company. Find out who they are and where they are based, any brochures or letter headed paper should have this information on it, rather than just a mobile number.

‘Ask for references from previous customers and get some quotes from other companies so you

can check you are paying a realistic price. Also, any doorstep traders must, by law, provide a copy

of your rights to cancel any deal made.’ Genuine trade persons are listed in Blackpool

Trading Standards’ Safe and Secure Directory.

For a copy please contact the department on

01253 478375 or visit www.blackpool.gov.uk