No Cold Calling Zones Launched in South Gloucestershire
Cold callers are being frozen out in Yate thanks to a new pilot scheme between South Gloucestershire Council and Avon and Somerset Police.
‘No Cold Calling Zones’ have been launched in parts of the town in a bid to help reduce doorstep crime. They have been set up by the Council’s trading standards officers with support from police and local Neighbourhood Watch schemes.
Doorstep crime can range from rogue home improvement firms, to bogus officials and charities.
The first No Cold Calling Zones are being introduced in the Walton Heath and Ferndown areas in Yate.
No Cold Calling Zones are identified by street signs and stickers on the front doors of houses. Residents are provided with advice on how to say ‘no’ to unwanted callers and also encouraged to report callers who ignore the zones to trading standards or the police.
Councillor Heather Goddard, executive member for communities, said: “We are working in close partnership with the police and the local neighbourhood watch to launch the No Cold Calling Zones to help tackle doorstop crime.
“This initiative will expand on the approved trader scheme the council runs, Buy With Confidence, to make it harder for rogue traders to potentially exploit often vulnerable residents with intimidating and unscrupulous tactics.”
Acting Neighbourhood Sergeant Neil Whyman said: “No Cold Calling Zones have already proved effective in cutting doorstep crime in other areas of the constabulary.
“The scheme demonstrates how, by working with the council and local people, we can put a stop to rogue traders who often target the most vulnerable in our community.
“We also know that rogue trading is linked to other doorstep crime like distraction burglary. Both can be prevented by sticking to one simple rule: if you’re unsure, don’t open the door.”
If an area is interested in a particular area becoming a No Cold Calling Zone, they are advised to contact the council’s trading standards department.
The No Cold Calling Zones scheme does not prevent all callers. Utility services staff, registered charity collectors and canvassing politicians can still do so. As can traders involved in door to door selling if they have made a prior appointment.
For more information on the No Cold Calling Zones scheme, contact South Gloucestershire Council’s Trading Standards department on 01454 864419.
For more information on the Buy With Confidence scheme visit www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk or ring Consumer Direct on 08454 040506.
Scamnesty 2010
For details of this year's Scamnesty campaign please visit our Scams section.
Scams of all shapes and sizes
The variety of email and internet scams is ever increasing, as is their genuine and professional appearance. They are designed to extract money or personal details from recipients and arrive in your inbox in various guises including phishing emails, lottery winnings and prize draw emails and Nigerian 419 advance fee emails.
Some tips to spot a scam
- if it looks to good to be true, it probably is
- don’t send money or your personal details
- do not open emails or attachments if they are from someone you haven't heard of or contain a file you weren't expecting. The safest option is to delete it. Fraudsters and virus writers bank on you either being curious or opening things out of habit
- be wary of following links in emails if you're not sure where they're going to take you
- avoid websites that have a lot of pop-ups asking you to install software or sites that want to charge you for viewing them. Pornography sites tend to be where this happens the most. If you're asked if you wish to install software, say no
- upgrade the privacy and security settings on your computer
- install anti-virus and firewall software
ERWIN - Everything Regulation, Whenever It's Needed
ERWIN - Everything Regulation, Whenever It's Needed - is a free and unique business support website that has been developed with the help of business leaders across the country.
Instead of having to spend time trying to understand complex legislation, ERWIN will provide a one-stop-shop website for all regulatory services advice in an innovative way. It is a web based service and provides advice tailored by business sectors and type to ensure your business can see at a glance, what you have to do to trade safely, effectively and within the law. ERWIN will also display industry news and news alerts.
For more information, click on the ERWIN link in the Other Websites box.
The Office of Fair Trading Estate Agents Public Register
The Office of Fair Trading has launched the online version of its public register listing the estate agents who have been given warning or banning orders.
The list can be viewed at http://www.oft.gov.uk/advice_and_resources/resource_base/register/ or by following the link on the right hand side.