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Warning over cold callers
Warnings over cold callers have been put out after a spate of incidents in the Brickhill, Roxton and Riseley areas.
Bedford Borough Council’s Environmental Health and Trading Standards are urging people to stay safe in their own homes by saying a firm no to cold calling doorstep traders.
Householders affected by the recent incidents have claimed that builders were pressurising them into agreeing to have building work carried out on their home.
Councillor Sarah-Jayne Holland, portfolio holder for community and regulatory services, said: “Agreeing to pay for any service on the basis of a door step visit is extremely risky and we would strongly advise local residents not to do this.
“The best course of action is to always do your homework first and try to find local people or businesses which you can trust. In many cases that means using personal recommendations or you can use traders on the Trading Standards Approved list.
“It is also important to remember that all traders are required to provide paperwork confirming a statutory 7 day cooling-off period providing the consumer the opportunity to change their mind so you should never feel rushed or pressured into having work carried out.”
Pressuring consumers may be considered illegal under current consumer protection legislation. It has also been alleged that the completed works have been of poor quality.
If you think you may have been the victim of doorstep crime or would like further advice, please contact Environmental Health & Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 08454 04 05 06.
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Weather for Bedford
Sunday 19 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 10 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
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